^3  i  J 


OF  THE 

Theological  Seminary, 

PRTNCETON,  N.  J. 

BX  8495   .N34  A3  1810  ' 
Nelson,  John,  1707-1774. 
An  extract  from  the  journal 
of  Mr.  John  Nelson, 


EXTRACT 

FROM  THE 

JO URNAL 
3IR.  JOHN  NELSON, 

PREACHER  OF  THE  GOSrEL. 

Coiifahiing  an  account  of  God's  Deal- 
ings with  hhn,from  his  Youth  io  the 
fort  I] -second  year  of  his  age. 


WRITTEIJ   EY  HIMSELF. 


Blessed  be  God,  even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  CJ^St 
the  Father  of  Mercies, and  the  God  of  all  comfort ;  who 
comforieth  us  in  all  our  Tribulation,  that  we  may  be 
able  to  comfort  them  which  are  in  any  Trouble,  by  the 
Comfort  wherewith  we  ourselves  are  comforted  v.i 
God.  IlCor.  i.3,4. 

l.OKu,  thou  hast  led  the  Blind  by  a  V/ay  that  he  knew 
not.  Isaiah  rfii.  16. 


BALTIMORE  : 

Published  by  J.  Kingston,  Bookseller 
]C4  Market -street. 
AlagiU  and  Clime,  Printers. 

1810. 


THE  following  Journal  was  written  at 
divers  times,  for  my  own  satisfaction. 
About  twenty  years  ago,  having  transcrib- 
ed it,  several  of  my  friends  saw  it,  and 
begged  it  might  be  printed  ;  which  I  re- 
fused at  that  time. 

Some  time  after,  Mr.  Thornton  of 
Leeds,  a  very  particular  friend  of  mine, 
desiring  to  see  it,  thought,  as  my  case  had 
been  a  means  of  stirring  up  many  to  hear 
the  word,  this  might  be  of  use  to  comfort 
some  who  were  in  trouble,  and  so  advised 
me  to  put  it  to  the  press  without  delay. 
But  I  still  declined  it,  till  he  shewing  it  to 
several  of  my  friends,  wlio  were  of  the 
same  opinion.  I  at  last  complied. 

What  is  wrong  may  the  Lord  pardon.' 
And  that  no  one  may  be  hurt  by  me,  or 
any  thing  I  have  written  or  preached,  is 
the  sincere  prayer  of  their  unworthy  ser- 
vant, for  Christ's  sake. 


John  Nelson. 


JOURNAT. 


OF 

My.  JOHN  NELSON. 

1  JOHN  NELSON,  was  born  in  the  pa- 
rish  of  Birstall,  in  the  W'est-Ridiug  of  the 
county  of  York,  in  October  1707,  and 
brought  up  a  Mason,  as  was  my  father  bC' 
fore  ine. 

When  I  was  between  nine  and  ten  years 
old,  1  was  horribly  terrified  with  the 
thoughts  of  death  and  judgment,  when- 
ever I  was  alone  :  one  Sunday  night  as  I 
sat  on  the  ground  by  the  side  of  my  fa- 
ther's chair,  while  he  was  reading  the 
twentieth  chapter  of  the  Revelation,  the 
word  came  with  such  light  and  power  to 
my  soul,  that  it  made  me  tremble,  as  if  a 
dart  was  shot  at  my  heart.  1  fell  with 
my  face  on  the  floor,  and  wept  till  the 
place  was  as  wet  where  I  lay,  as  if  water 
had  been  poured  thereon.  As  my  father 
proceeded,  I  thought  I  saw  every  thing 
he  read  about,  though  my  eyes  were  shut, 
and  the  sight  was  so  terrible,  I  was  »- 
bout  to  stop  my  ears,  that  I  might  not 
hear,  but  1  durst  not  ;  for  as  soon  as  I 
put  my  fingers  in  my  eats,  I  pulled  them 
back,  again.  When  he  came  to  the  ele- 
venth verse,  the  words  made  me  cringe, 
and   my   flesh   seemed  to  creep  on  my 


4 


THE  JOVRNAt  OF 


bones,  while  he  said,  "  And  I  saw  a  grea^ 
white  Throne,  and  Him  that  sat  thereon, 
from  whose  Face  the  heavens  and  the  earth 
lied  away,  and  there  was  found  no  place 
for  them  :  and  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and 
great,  stand  before  God,  and  the  Books 
w  ere  opened  ;  and  another  book  was  o- 
pened,  which  is  the  book  of  life:  and  the 
dead  were  judged  out  of  those  things  that 
were  written  in  the  books,  according  to 
their  works."  O  what  a  scene  was  open- 
ed to  my  mind  !  li;  was  as  if  I  had  seen  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  sitting  on  his  throne, 
with  the  twelve  apostles  below  him  ;  and 
a  large  book  open  at  his  left  hand  ;  and  as 
it  were  a  bar  fixed  about  ten  paces  from 
the  throne,  to  which  the  children  of  Adam 
came  up  ;  and  every  one,  as  he  approach- 
ed, opened  his  breast,  as  quick  as  a  man 
could  open  the  bosom  of  his  shirt.  On  one 
leaf  of  the  book  was  written  the  character 
of  the  children  of  God  ;  and  on  the  other, 
the  character  of  those  that  should  not  en- 
ter into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  I  thought, 
neither  the  Lord,  nor  the  apostles,  said 
anything  ;  but  every  soul,  as  he  came  up 
to  the  bar.  compared  his  conscience  with 
the  book,  and  went  away  to  his  own  place  : 
either  singing,  or  else  crying  and  how- 
ling. Those  that  went  to  the  right  hand 
were  like  the  stream  of  a  small  brook  ;  but. 
the  others  were  like  the  flowing  of  a  oiigh- 
ty  river. 


MB.  JOHN  NELSOK. 


6 


God  had  followed  me  with  convictions 
ever  since  I  was  ten  years  old  ;  and  when- 
ever 1  had  committed  any  known  sin,  ei- 
ther against  God  or  man,  I  used  to  be  so 
terrified  al'ten»'ards,  that  1  shed  many 
tears  in  private  ;  yet  when  I  came  to  my 
companions,  I  wiped  my  face  and  went  oa 
again  in  sin  and  folly.  But  O  !  the  hell 
I  found  in  my  mind  vvhen  I  came  to  be 
alone  again,  and  what  resolutions  I  made  ! 
Nevertheless,  when  temptations camfe,  my 
resolutions  were  as  a  ^hread  of  tow,  that 
had  touched  the  fite. 

When  I  was  about  sixteen,  1  heard  a 
sermon  in  our  ownchuich,  which  depriv- 
ed me  of  rest  in  ,the  night  ;  nor  durst  I  siu 
as  I  had  done  belbre  for  iminj  days.  But 
alas  !  I  looked  thp  m  rong  way  ;  for  I 
vratched  those  that  were  older  and  more 
leijrned  than  myself,  and  what  they  did, 
{  thought  I  might  safely  do  ;  so  I  turned 
back  to  .''in  and  folly.  O  what  evil  do  the 
oFd  and  learned  do  to  those  who  are  young 
and  unlearned  !  When  their  lives  are  cor~ 
rupt,  they  are  certaiidy  the  most  accursed 
beiogs  on  the  earth.  How  many  times 
have  their  example  hardened  my  heart, 
and  encouraged  me  iu  the  broad  way  ' 
Surely  they  are  a  curse  to  their  own  chil- 
dren and  servants,  as  well  as  to  their  ig- 
norant and  unlearned  neighbours. 

When  I  wa^  turned  a  little  of  sixteen, 
mj  father        taken  ill,  which  I  thought 
A  2 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


wasfoi"  my  wickedness  •,  yet  at  that  time, 
vile  as  I  was,  1  prayed  earnestly  that  Cod 
>would  spare  him  i'or  the  sake  of  my  mo- 
ther and  the  young  children,  and  let  me 
die  in  his  stead;  but  the  Lorf!  would  not 
legard  my  prayer.  Three  days  before 
]je  died,  he  said  to  my  mother,  "  Trouble 
not  thyself  for  me  ;  for  I  know  that  my 
peace  is  made  with  God,  and  he  will  pro- 
vide for  thee  and  the  children."  I  was 
greatly  surprised  at  his  words,  wondering 
how  he  could  know  his  peace  was  made 
with  God. 

In  one  of  my  'times  of  trouble  I  was  in 
a  stuble,  and  falling  into  a  slumber,  I 
dreamt  I  prayed  that  God  would  make  me 
happy.  But  1  thought,  what  will  make 
me  happy  I  alao  dreamt  that  I  beheld 
•lereiuiah,  the  prophet,  standing  on  a  large 
rock,  at  the  West-gate  of  Jerusalem.  His 
countenance  was  grave,  and  with  great 
authority  he  reproved  the  elders  and  ma- 
gistrates of  the  city,  for  which  they  were 
enraged,  and  pulling  him  down,  cast  him 
on  a  dunghill  where  the  butchers  poured 
forth  the  blood  of  their  slain  beasts  :  and 
I  imagined  I  saw  them  tread  him  under 
their  I'eet,  but  his  countenance  never 
changed,  neither  did  he  cease  to  cry  out, 
*'  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  if  ye  will  not  re- 
pent and  give  glory  to  my  name,  I  will 
bring  destruction  on  you  and  your  city." 
He  seemed  so  composed  and  so  happy 


MB.   JOHN  NELSON. 


7 


while  fie  lay  on  the  dunghill,  and  while 
they  were  treading  him  under  their  feet, 
that  I  said  in  my  dream,  "  O  God  !  make 
me  like  Jeremiah/'  And  though  it  was 
but  a  dream,  it  left  such  an  impression  on 
me,  as  if  I  had  seen  it  with  my  eyes.  And 
since  then.  Thou,  Lord,  in  a  small  mea- 
sure, hast  given  me  a  taste  of  his  cup. 

When  1  was  about  nineteen,  I  found 
myself  in  great  danger  of  falling  into  scan- 
dalous sins  ;  and  1  prayed,  1  believe, 
twenty  times  for  God  to  preserve  me,  and 
give  me  a  wife  that  I  might  live  with  her 
to  his  glory.  He  heard  my  prayer,  and 
<Ielivered  me  out  of  many  dangerous  temp- 
tations ;  for  which  1  praise  his  holy  name. 

The  first  time  I  ever  saw  my  wile  was 
iii-ToT\ge,  where  I  was  going  to  build  the 
rrew  church.  1  did  not  know  who  she  was, 
nor  where  she  came  from  ;  but,  at  first 
sight,  I  said  in  my  mind,  "  That  is  the 
woman  i  asked  of  God  in  prayer  ;"  and  J 
fully  determined,  if  I  got  married,  I  would 
live  to  his  glory.  But  what  are  resolu- 
tions when  made  in  our  own  strength  ! 
For  though  1  believe  God  gave  me  the 
inost  suitable  wite  that  I  cduTd  have  had, 
in  every  respect,  yet  for  some  vears  after 
we  were  married,  I  did  not  ne  to  his 
glory,  for  1  loved  pleasure  mord  than  God: 
yet  many  times  when  ]  had  be^n  shooting 
a  whole  day,  and  had  got  theicreatures  1 
pursued,  I  was  quite  unhappy) xind  ready 


THE  JOURNAL  O? 


tobret^k  my  gun  in  pieces,  resolving  never 
to  shoit  or  hunt  any  more.  At  last  I  said 
to  my  wife,  "  I  am  determined  to  leave 
off  this  course  of  life,  yet  it  is  impossible 
if  I  stay  here  ;  therefore,  if  thou  art  free, 
I  will'^go  to  Sir  Howland  Wynn's,  and  see 
if  I  can  get  business  there  ;  if  not,  I  will  go 
somewhere  else  at  a  distance  from  home." 
To  this  she  gladly  consented. 

On  Monday  morning  we  parted  in  great 
love,  praying  one  for  the  other.  As  I  went 
from  our  town,  I  made  use  of  Jacob's 
words,  which  he  spake  to  the  Lord  as  he 
went  to  Padanaram  ;  and  the  Lord  bles- 
sed me  in  all  my  journey.  I  found  work  at 
Newark  on  Trent,  and  stayed  about  a 
month.  All  that  time  the  band  of  God 
was  upon  me,  by  convicting?  '^p  of  my  Itir- 
mer  sins  ;  so  that  the  sense  of  his  wrath 
being  justly  kindled  against  me,  made  me 
cry  to  him  for  mercy,  some  days  forty 
times  in  the  day.  Then  1  went  to  Lon- 
don, and  got  into  business  the  day  I  arriv- 
ed there.  Here  my  concern  for  salva- 
tion increased  for  some  time,  and  I  conti- 
nued to  read  and  pray  when  I  had  done  my 


if  I  had  had  some  one  to  shew  me  the  way 
I  should  lave  closed  in  with  the  Lord  ia 
a  saving  nauner.  But  I  looked  at  men- 
for  exampb,  and  fell  l!'"om  my  seriousness. 
The  workren  cursed  and  abused  me,  be- 
cause I  VJld  not  drink  with  them,  and 


work,  refusing  alid( 


and  1  believe. 


JIK.  JOHN  NELSON. 


9 


«pend  my  money  as  tliey  did.  I  bore  ma- 
ny insults  from  them,  without  opening  my 
mouth  to  speak  to  them  again.  But  when 
they  took,  my  tools  from  me,  and  said,  if  I 
would  not  drink  with  them,  I  should  not 
work  while  they  were  drinking  ;  that  pro- 
voked me,  so  that!  fought  several  of  them, 
then  they  let  me  alone.  But  that  stifled 
my  concern  for  salvation  ;  and  I  left  oft' 
prayer  and  reading  in  a  great  measure. 
I  stayed  better  than  half  a  year,  and  had 
not  one  hour's  sickness,  nor  did  I  want 
one  day's  work  all  that  time  ;  so  that  by 
my  hand  labour,  I  cleared,  besides  main- 
taining myself,  twelve  pounds,  fifteen  shil- 
lings. 

When  I  came  home,  I  fell  into  my  for- 
mer course.  I  said  to  my  wife,  "  I  cannot 
live  here.''  So  I  set  ofTfor  London  again, 
ordering  lier  to  follow  me  in  the  wag- 
gon. We  both  got  well  there,  and  lived 
in  a  good  way,  (as  the  world  calls  it,)  that 
is,  in  peace  and  plenty,  and  love  to  each 
other. 

After  some  time,  I  had  a  sore  lit  of  ill- 
ness ;  then  my  conscience  was  alarmed, 
and  I  expected  to  die,  and  perish  body 
and  soul  in  hell.  O  the  distress  1  was  in, 
not  through  fear  of  death,  so  much  as  of 
the  judgment  that  should  follow  !  But  the 
Lord  rebuked  the  fever,  and  restored  me 
to  perfect  health. 


10 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


After  residing  some  years  in  London, 
my  wife  had  not  her  health,  tlicrefore  we 
-agreed  that  she  should  talce  our  two  chil- 
dren and  go  into  the  country,  and  1  would 
follow  at  a  certain  season  ;  which  accord- 
ingly I  did  ;  but  1  could  not  rest  night  or 
day.  I  said,  "  1  must  go  to  London  a- 
gain."  Several  asked  me,  "  Why  I  would 
go  again,  since  1  might  live  at  home  as 
well  as  any  where  in  the  world  My 
answer  was,  "  I  have  something  to  learn 
that  1  have  not  yet  learned  but  1  did 
not  know  that  it  was  the  great  lesson  of 
love  to  God  and  man.  When  1  got  there, 
I  fell  to  work  presently,  and  all  things 
prospered  that  I  pursued.  I  then  began 
to  consider  what  I  wanted  to  make  me 
iappy  ;  for  I  was  yet  as  a  man  in  a  barren 
ivilderness,  that  could  find  no  way  out.  1 
tsaid  to  myself,  "  What  can  I  desire  that 
I  have  not  ;  I  enjoy  good  health  as  any 
man  can  do  I  have  as  agreeable  a  wife  aa 
J  can  wish  lor  I  am  clothed  as  well  as  I 
can  desire  ;  I  have,  at  present,  more  gold 
and  silver  than  1  Iiave  need  of  ;  yet  still  I 
Iccep  wandering  from  one  part  of  the  king- 
dom to  another,  seeking  rest  and  cannot 
find  it."  Then  1  cried  out,  "  O  !  that  I 
had  been  a  cow,  or  a  sheep  for  1  looked 
back  to  see  how  I  had  spent  about  thirty 
years  ;  and  thought,  rather  than  live  thir- 
ty years  more  so,  1  would  chuse  strang. 
ling.    But  when  I  considered  that  after 


Mft.  JOHN  NELSON. 


such  a  troublesome  life,  I  must  give  an  ac- 
count before  God,  of  the  deeds  done  in 
the  body,  who  knew  all  my  thoughts, 
words  and  actions^  1  cried  out,  "  O  that  I 
had  never  been  born  !"  for  I  feared  my 
day  of  grace  was  over,  because  I  had 
made  so  many  resolutions  and  broke  them 
all  !  Yet  I  thought  1  would  set  out  once 
mere  ;  for  I  said,  "  surely,  God  never 
made  man  to  be  such  a  riddle  to  himself, 
and  to  leave  him  so  ;  there  must  be  some- 
thing in  religion,  that  I  am  unacquainted 
with,  to  satisfy  the  empty  mind  of  man,  or 
he  is  in  a  worse  state  than  the  beasts  that 
perish."  In  all  these  troubles  I  had  none 
to  open  my  mind  to,  so  1  wandered  uo  and 
down  in  the  fields  when  I  had  done  my 
work,  meditating  what  course  to  take  to 
save  my  soul. 

I  went  from  church  to  church,  but 
found  no  ease.  One  minister  of  St.  Paul's 
preached  about  man  doing  his  duty  to 
God  and  his  neighbour,  and  when  such 
came  to  lie  upon  a  death-bed,  what  joy 
they  would  find  in  their  own  breast,  by 
looking  back  on  their  well  spent  life.  But 
that  sermon  had  like  to  have  destroyed 
my  soul  ;  for  1  looked  back,  and  could  not 
see  one  day  in  all  my  life,  wherein  1  had 
not  left  undone  something  which  I  ought 
to  have  done,  and  wherein  1  had  not  done 
many  things  wrong  ;  that  I  was  so  far 
i'vom  having  a  well  spent  life  to  reflect  up- 


12 


THE   JOURNAL  Ot 


On,  that  I  savv^,  if  one  day  well  spent  would 
Sare  my  soul,  1  must  be  damned  lor  ercr.  O 
,  what  a  stab  was  that  sermon  to  my  wounded 
Boul  !  It  made  me  wish  my  mother's  womb 
had  been  my  grave.  Alter  that  I  heard 
another  sermon,  wherein  the  preacher 
summed  up  all  the  christian  duties  ;  but 
he  said,  man,  since  the  fall,  could  not  per- 
fectly fulfil  the  will  of  his  Maker  ;  but 
God  required  him  to  do  all  he  could,  and 
Christ  would  make  out  the  restjjbutif 
man  did  not  do  all  he  oould,  he  must  una- 
voidably perish  ;  for  he  had  no  right  to 
expect  any  interest  in  themeriis  of  Christ, 
if  he  had  not  fulfilled  his  part,  and  done  all 
that  lay  in  his  power.  Then  1  thought, 
not  only  I,  but  every  soul  must  be  damn- 
ed :  for  I  did  not  believe  thatany  who  had 
lived  to  years  of  maturity,  had  doueall  they 
could,  and  avoided  all  the  evil  they  might. 
Therefore  1  concluded  that  none  could  be 
saved  but  little  children.  O  what  deadly 
physick  was  that  sort  of  doctrine  to  my 
poor  sin-sick  soul  ! 

1  thought  1  would  try  others  ;  and  went 
to  hear  Dissentersof  divers  denominations, 
hut  to  no  purpose.  I  went  to  the  Roman 
Catholics,  but  was  soon  surfeited  with 
their  way  of  worship.  Then  I  went  to  the 
Quakers,  and  prayed  that  God  would  not 
suHer  the  blind  to  go  out  of  the  way,  but 
join  me  to  the  people  that  worshipped  him 
la  spirit  and  in  truth  :  I  cared  not  what 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


15 


they  were  called,  nor  what  1  suffbred  up- 
on earth,  so  that  my  soul  might  be  saved 
at  last.  I  believe  I  heard  them  every  Sun- 
day lor  three  months-,  what  made  me  con- 
tinue 80  long  was.  the  expectation  ol'  some 
help,  by  hearing  them  ;  for  tliere  was  one, 
almost  at  my  first  going;  that  spoke  some- 
thing that  suited  the  state  my  soul  was 
in  ;  but  he  shewed  no  remedy.  I  had  now 
tried  ail  but  the  Jews,  and  I  thought  it 
was  to  no  purpose  to  go  to  them  ;  so  I 
thought  I  would  go  tociiurch,  and  read 
and  pray,  whether  i  perished  or  not.  But 
I  was  amazed,  when  I  came  to  join  in  the 
morning  prayer,  to  see  that  1  had  mocked 
my  maker  all  my  days,  by  praying  for 
things  I  did  not  expect  or  desire  ;  then  I 
thought  none  could  be  so  ignorant  as  1  had 
been,  nor  so  base,  to  draw  near  to  God  with 
their  lips  and  their  hearts  so  far  from  him. 

In  the  spring  Mr.  Whilefield  came  into 
Moorfields,  and  I  went  to  hear  him  :  he 
was  to  me  as  a  man  that  could  play  well  on 
an  instrument,  for  his  preachiDg  was  plea- 
sant to  me,  and  I  loved  the  man  ;  so  that  if 
any  one  offered  to  disturb  him,  1  was  ready 
to  fight  for  him.  But  I  did  not  underst-.<!id 
him,  though  I  might  hear  him  twenty 
times  for  aught  1  know.  Yet  I  got  some 
hope  of  mercy,  so  that  I  was  encouraged 
to  pray  on,  and  spend  my  leisure  hours  in 
reading  the  Scriptures.  Sometimes  as  I 
was  readimg,  I  thought,  if  what  1  read  is 
B 


u 


THE   JOURNAL  OS 


true,  and  if  none  are  Christians,  but  sncH' 
as  St.  John  and  St.  Paul  describe  to  be 
God's  people,  I  do  not  know  any  person 
that  is  a  Christian  either  in  town  or  coun- 
try. I  said,  "  If  things  be  so,  I  am  no  more 
a  christian  than  the  devil  and  my  hope 
of  ever  being  one  was  very  smalK  In  this 
struggle  i  had  but  little  sleep  ;  if  I  slept 
four  hours  out  of  twenty-four,  I  thought  it 
a  great  deal  :  sometimes  I  started  as  if  I 
w.'ts  falling,  into  some  horrible  place.  At 
other  times  I  dreamed  that  I-  was  fighting 
with  satan,  and  when  I  awoke,  I  was  sweat- 
ing and  as  fatigued  as  if  I  had  really  been 
fighting.  Yet  all  this  time  l  was  as  capa- 
ble of  working,  both  in  understanding  and 
strength,  as  ever  I  was  in  my  life  ;  and  this 
was  an  encouragement  to  me.  In  all  this 
time  I  did  not  open  my  mind  to  any  person 
either  by  word  or  letter  ;  but  I  was  like  a 
wandering  bird,  cast  out  of  its  ne.st,  till  Mr. 
John  Wesley  came  to  preach  his  first  ser- 
mon in  Moorfield.'^,  O  that  was  a  blessed 
morning  to  my  soul !  As  soon  as  he  got  up- 
on the  stand,  he  stroked  back  his  hair,  and 
turned  his  face  towards  where  I  stood,  and 
I  thought  fixed  his  eyes  on  me.  His  coun- 
tenance struck  such  an  awful  dread  upon 
me,  before  1  heard  him  speak,  that  it  made 
my  heart  beat  like  the  pendulum  of  a 
clock  ;  and  when  he  did  speak,  I  thought 
his  whole  discourse  was  aimed  at  me. 
When  he  bad  done,  I  said,  "  This  man 


MR     JOHN  NELSON. 


IS 


•can  tell  the  secrets  of  my  heart.  lie  hath 
not  left  me  there,  for  he  hath  shewed  the 
remedy,  even  the  blood  of  Jesus.  Thea 
was  ray  soul  filled  with  consolation  through 
liope,  thart  God  for  Christ's  sake,  would 
eave  me  ;  neither  did  I  dijubt  in  such  a 
manner  any  more,  till  within  twenty-four 
hours  of  the  time,  when  the  Lord  wrote  a 
pardon  on  my  heart.  Tho'  it  was  a  little 
after  Midsummer  that  1  heard  hinjj  and  it 
was  three  weeks  after  Michaelmas  before 
1  found  the  true  peace  of  God  ;  yet  I  con- 
tinued to  hear  as  often  as  1  could,  but  not 
to  neglect  my  work.  I  had  many  flashes 
of  love  under  the  word,  when  I  was  at  pri- 
vate prayer,  and  at  the  table  of  the  Lord  ; 
but  they  were  short,  and  often  some  sore 
temptations  followed. 

Now  all  my  acquaintance  set  upon  me, 
to  persuade  me  not  to  go  too  far  in  reli- 
gion, lest  it  should  unfit  me  for  my  busi- 
ness, and  so  bring  poverty  and  distress  on 
my  family  :  and  said,  "  We  wish  you  had 
never  heard  Mr.  Wesley,  for  we  are  a- 
fraid  it  will  be  the  ruin  of  you  "  I  told 
them,  "  1  had  reason  to  bless  God  that 
ever  he  was  born,  for  by  hearing  him  I 
was  made  sensible  that  my  business  in  this 
world  is  to  get  well  out  of  it  and  as  for 
my  trade,  health,  wisdom,  and  all  things 
in  the  M  orld,  they  arc  no  blessings  to  me, 
any  farther  than  as  so  many  instruments 
to  help  me,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  work 


hi  THE    JODRNAl  OF 

oul  my  salvation."  Then  they  said,  they 
were  very  sorry  for  me,  and  should  be 
glad  to  knock  Mr  Wesley's  brains  out, 
ibr  he  would  be  the  ruin  of  many  families, 
if  he  was  allowed  to  live,  and  go  on  as  he 
did.  Some  of  them  said  they  would  not 
bear  him  preach  for  50l.  But  I  told  them  * 
I  had  reason  to  bless  God  that  ever  I 
heard  him,  and  I  intended  to  hear  him  as 
often  as  I  could,  for  1  believed  him  to  be 
God's  messenger  ;  and  if  I  did  not  seek 
to  be  born  again,  and  experience  that  spi- 
ritual birtli,  I  could  not  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven,  which  was  the  docj- 
trine  he  preached. 

A  little  after  Michaelmas  I  had  many 
trials  again,  and  passion  got  the  advan- 
tage over  me  :  then  I  thought  it  was  to  no 
purpose  for  me  to  strive  any  longer,  for 
every  one  endeavoured  to  provoke  me, 
and  [  could  not  bear  it.  About  this  time, 
I  was  going  out  of  the  Park  into  West- 
minster, where  was  a  soldier  with  hi* 
arms  about  him,  as  he  was  coming  from 
guard,  who  began  to  talk  to  some  other 
soldiers  and  a  company  of  Welch  women. 
1  was  bufr  a  few  paces  from  him  :  the  tenor 
of  his  discourse  was  as  follows  :  "  You 
know  what  manner  of  man  I  was  some  • 
months  ago  and  none  of  you  pitied  me 
then,  tho'  I  was  going  headlong  to  the 
devil  i  for  I  was  a  drunkard  and  a  swear- 
efr,  I  was  a  whoremonger  and  a  fighter  ; 


MR.   JOHN  NBtSON.  1  ' 

a  sabbath-breaker  and  a  gamester  ;  nay,  I 
know  no  sin  but  1  was  guilty  of  either  in 
word  or  deed  ;  so  that  it  is  a  miracle  that 
my  neck  was  not  brought  to  the  gallows, 
and  my  souf  to  hell  long  ago  :  at  that  time 
I  durst  not  think  of  death  :  for  I  had  no 
reason  to  think  of  ought  but  hell  :  there- 
fore I  was  desperate  in  wickedness,  and 
did  not  put  a  restraint  on  my  lust  or  ap- 
petite ;  till  one  day,  as  I  was  coming  out 
of  the  country  by  Kennington  Common, 
Mr.  John  Wesley  Avas  going  to  preach, 
and  I  thought  1  would  hear  what  he  ]iad 
to  say  for  1  had  heard  many  learned  and 
wise  men  say  he  was  beside  himself  :  but 
when  he  began  to  speak,  his  words  made 
me  tremble.  I  thought  he  spoke  to  no  one 
but  me,  and  I  durst  not  look  up,  for  I 
imagined  all  the  people  were  looking  at 
me  ;  and  was  ashamed  to  shew  my  face, 
expecting  God  would  make  me  a  public 
example,  either  by  letting  the  earth  open 
and  swallow  me  up,  or  by  striking  me 
dead  ;  but  before  Mr.  Wesley  concluded 
Lis  sermon  he  cried  out,  "  Let  the  wick- 
ed forsake  his  way,  and  tlie  unrighteous 
man  his  thoughts,  and  let  him  retai  n  unto 
the  Lord,  and  he  will  have  mercy  upon 
him,  and  to  our  God,  and  he  will  abun- 
dantly pardon.  '  I  said,  if  that  be  true, 
I  will  turn  to  God  to-day.  1  immediate- 
ly went  home,  and  began  to  read  and  pray, 
keeping  out  of  bad  company  for  about  a 
B  3  . 


18 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


fortnight,  and  hearing  Mr.  Wesley  as 
often  as  I  could  ;  but  my  old  companions 
inissed  me,  and  came  to  see  what  w  as  the 
matter  :  when  they  found  me.  reading  the 
Bible,  they  cursed  and  swore,  and  drag- 
ged Hie  away  into  an  alehouse,  where  I 
sat  down  and  began  to  reason  with  them. 
But  O  how  dangerous  is  it  to  encounter 
with  satan  on  bis  own  ground  ;  for  as  I 
talked  I  began  to  drink  a  little,  which  got 
into  my  head,  when  I  quarrelled  with 
them  and  fought ;  and  as  I  was  going  to 
my  quarters,  a  lewd  woman  met  me,  and 
I  had  no  power  to  resist  her,  and  was 
again  taken  captive  by  the  devil.  Never- 
theless when  1  had  slept,  I  was  so  terri- 
fied, I  thought  I  never  durst  pray  more, 
or  expect  mercy.  I  was  determined  how- 
ever, to  hear  Mr.  Charles  Wesley  that 
night,  and  by  his  preaching  1  had  some 
hopes  that  my  day  of  grace  was  not  over. 
Then  I  began  to  pray  again,  and  read  the 
scriptures ;  and  one  Sunday  morning  I 
called  at  Whitehall  Chapel,  where  the  sa- 
crament was  going  to  be  administered.  I 
went  to  the  table  with  trembling  limbs  and 
a  heavy  heart ;  but  no  sooner  had  I  receiv- 
ed, than  1  found  power  to  believe  that  Je- 
sus Christ  had  shed  his  blood  for  me,  and 
that  God  for  his  sake  h'>d  forgiven  my  of- 
fences. Then  was  my  heart  filled  with  love 
to  Cod  and  man  -,  and  since  theu  sin  hath 
not  had  dominion  ovcrnie."' 


MR.   JOHN  NKLSON. 


These  sayings  of  the  soldier  were  a  bles 
sing  to  me,  for  they  sunk  deep  into  my 
mind,  and  made  me  cry,  more  earnestly, 
that  God  would  work  tho  same  change  in 
jny  heart.  I  found  my  soul  much  refresh- 
ed at  the  sacrament  on  the  Sunday  after, 
and  mightily  encouraged  under  Mr.  Wes- 
ley's sermon  in  the  afternoon.  All  the 
week  after  1  felt  an  awful  sense  of  God 
resting  upon  me  ^  and  1  had  a  great  watch- 
fulness over  my  words,  and  several  short 
visits  of  love,  having  great  hope  that  I 
had  got  a  compleat  victory  over  my  beset- 
ting sin.  But  passion  was  yet  too  strong 
for  me,  for  that  niffht  1  fell  again,  and  cri- 
ed out  immediatdy,  I  am  undone,  I 
have  lost  all  hope;,  of  mercy.''  All  the 
night  I  was  as  if  I  had  been  given  up  to 
Satan.  lii  the  morning,  one  prayed  with 
me,  but  1  found  no  answtsf  ;  lor  uiy  heart 
was  as  hard  as  a  rock. 

When  I  went  back  to  my  lodging  at 
noon,  dinner  was  ready  ;  and  the  gentle- 
woman said,  "Come,  sit  down,  you  have 
need  of  your  dinner,  for  you  have  eaten 
nothing  to-day.  But  when  1  looked  on 
the  meat,  1  said,  "Shall  such  a  wretch  as 
I  devour  the  good  creatures  of  God  in  the 
state  I  am  now  in  !  ISo,  I  deserve  to  be 
thrust  into  hell."  I  then  went  into  my 
chamber,  shut  the  door  and  fell  down  on 
my  knees,  crying,  "Lord,  save,  or  I  per- 
is^,"   When  I  had  prayed  till  I  could 


to 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


pray  no  more,  I  got  up  and  walked  to  and 
I'ro,  being  resolved  1  would  neither  eat 
nor  drink,  till  1  had  found  the  kingdom  of 
God.  I  fell  down  to  prayer  again,  but 
found  no  relief ; — got  up  and  walked  a- 
gain  ; — then  tears  began  to  flow  from  my 
eyes,  like  great  drops  of  rain,  and  1  fell 
on  my  knees  the  third  time  ;  but  now  I 
was  as  dumb  as  a  beast,  and  could  not  put 
up  one  petition,  if  it  would  have  saved  my 
boul.  I  kneeled  before  the  Lord  some 
time,  and  saw  myself  a  criminal  before  the 
judge  ;  then  I  said,  "Lord,  thy  will  be- 
done,  damn  or  save."  That  moment  Je- 
sus Clirist  was  as  evidently  set  before  the 
eye  of  my  mind,  as  crucified  for  my  sins, 
as  if  I  had  seen  him  with  my  bodily  eyes 
and  in.  that  instant  my  heart  was  set  at  li- 
berty from  guilt  and  tormenting  fear,  and 
filled  with  a  calm  and  serene  peace.  I 
could  tlien  say,  without  any  dread  or  fear, 
"Thou  art  my  Lord,  and  my  God  Now 
did  I  begin  to  sing  that  part  of  the  12th 
chapter  of  Isaiah,  "O  Lord,  I  will  praise 
thee  ■,  tho'  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine 
anger  is  turned  away,  and  thou  comfortest 
me;  Behold,  God  is  my  salvation  I  will 
trust  and  not  be  afraid,  for  the  Lord  Jeho- 
vah is  my  strength  and  my  song  ;  he  also  is 
become  my  salvation."  My  heart  wa» 
filled  with  love  to  God  and  every  soul  of 
mail  :  next  to  my  wife  and  children,  my 
.•'lother,  bretben  and  sisters,  my  greatest 


MK.   JOHN  HELSQ.M 


enemies  had  an  interest  in  in_\'*prayers 
and  I  cried,  "  O  Lord,  give  ine  to  see  my 
desire  on  tliem  ;  let  them  experience  thy 
redeeming  love.'' 

In  the  afternoon  I  opened  the  book  where  it 
is  said,  "Unto  him  that  loved  us,  and  wash- 
ed us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,"  witJi 
which  1  was  so  affected,  that  I  could  not 
read  for  weeping.  That  evening,  under 
Mr.  Wesle^-'s  sermon,  1  could  do  nothing 
but  weep,  and  love,  and  praise  God,  ibr 
sending  his  servant  into  the  fields  to  vshew 
me  the  way  of  salvation.  All  that  day  1 
neither  ate  nor  drank  any  thing  ;  for  be- 
fore 1  found  peace  the  hand  of  God  was  so 
heavy  upon  me.  that  I  refused  to  eat :  and 
after  I  had  found  peace,  1  was  so  filled 
with  the  manna  of  redeeming  Love,  that  I 
had  no  need  of  the  bread  that  perisheth,  for 
that  season. 

At  night  when  I  came  home,  the  gentle- 
woman of  the  house  where  1  had  lodged  a 
long  time,  told  me  to  provide  a  lodging, 
for  1  must  stay  there  no  longer  than  that 
one  night  ;  for  her  husband  was  afraid 
some  mischief  would  come  either  on  them 
or  me,  with  so  much  praying  and  fuss  I 
had  made  about  religion,  1  told  them  I 
would  come  on  Wednesday  night,  and  pay 
what  I  owed  them,  and  fetch  my  clothes 
away,  praying  that  God  might  reward 
them  for  the  kindness  they  had  shewed 
me  y  for  I  had  had  a  fever  in  the  house ,  and 


22 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


ao  one  could  shew  more  compassion  to  a 
stranger,  than  they  did  to  me  at  that  time. 

Oil  Wednesday  night,  according  to  my 
promise,  I  went  to  my  old  lodging,  and 
paid  what  I  owed  there,  and  got  my 
clothes  ready  to  bring  away.  But  having 
forgot  something,  1  stept  back  into  the 
room  to  look  for  it.  In  the  mean  time  the 
man  said  to  his  wife,  "  Suppose  John 
should  be  right  and  we  wrong,  it  will  be 
a  sad  thing  to  turn  him  out  of  doors." 
When  I  came  down,  the  woman  stood  at 
the  door,  and  said,  "  You  shall  not  go  out 
of  this  house  to-night.''  I  said,  "  What 
will  you  neither  let  me  go  nor  stay  >"  She 
replied,  "  My  husband  is  not  willing  you 
should  go  ;  for  he  saith,  if  God  hath  done 
any  thing  more  for  you  than  for  us,  he 
would  have  you  shew  us  how  wc  may  find 
the  same  mercj."  So  I  sat  down  with 
them,  and  told  them  of  God's  dealings 
with  my  soul,  and  prayed  with  them. 
Soon  after,  they  both  went  to  hear  Mr. 
"Wesley,  when  the  woman  was  made  a 
partaker  of  the  same  grace  ;  and  1  hope 
to  meet  them  both  in  heaven. 

On  the  Saturday  following,  the  dragon 
stood  ready  to  dev  our  my  new-born  soul  ; 
for  my  master's  ciiief  foreman  came  to  me  , 
saying,  John  Nelson,  you  must  look  after 
such  and  such  men  to  morrow  ;  there  is  a 
piece  of  work  to  be  done  with  all  speed, 
for  the  Lord  of  the  Exchequer  will  bo 


.MB.   JOHS  I'V 

here  on  a  particular  day,  hy  whiclj  tim« 
it  must  be  compleated.'"  Sir,  I  replied, 
you  have  forgot  yourself;  to-morrow  is  the 
Sabbath."  He  said  he  knew  that  as  well 
as  me  •,  but  the  king's  business  required 
haste,  and  it  was  common  to  work  on  the 
Sunday  for  his  majesty,  when  any  thing 
was  upon  the  finish.  I  told  hiii.,  I  would 
not  work  upon  the  Sabbath  for  any  man 
in  England,  except  it  was  to  quench  fire, 
or  something  that  required  the  same  im- 
mediate help.  He  said,  "  Religion  has 
made  you  a  rebel  against  the  king."  I 
answered,  No  Sir,  it  has  made  me  a 
better  subject  than  ever  I  was."  I  added, 
"  The  greatest  enemies  the  king  has  are 
the  Saobath-breakers,  swearers,  drunk- 
ards, and  whoremongers;  for  these  pulf 
down  God's  judgments  upon  both  king  aud 
country."  Then  he  said,  if  I  would  not 
obey  him,  I  should  lose  my  business.  I 
replied,  "  I  cannot  help  it ;  tlio'  it  may  be 
ten  pounds  out  of  my  way  to  be  turned 
out  of  my  work  at  this  time  of  the  year, 
I  will  not  willully  offend  God  for  I 
bad  much  rather  want  bread  ;  nay,  I 
would  rather  see  my  w'fe  and  children 
beg  their  bread  barefooted  to  heaven,  than 
ride  in  a  coach  to  hell.''  He  swore,  if  1 
went  on  awhile  I  should  be  as  mad  as 
Whitefield  ;  and  added,  "  What  hast  thou 
done,  that  thou  needest  make  so  much  ado 
about  salvation  ?  1  always  took  thee  to  bs 


TH«  JOCRNAL  OF 


as  honest  a  man  as  any  I  have  in  the  work, 
and  could  have  trusted  thee  with  five  hun- 
dred pounds."  I  answered,  "  So  you 
might,  and  not  have  lost  one  penny  by 
me."  He  said,  "  What,  hast  thou  killed 
sonieboby,  or  committed  adultery,  that 
thou  art  so  much  afraid  of  being  damned 
1  replied,  "  God  takes  the  will  for  the 
deed  ;  and  though  clear  from  those  acts, 
I  deserve  to  be  damned  tenfold  for  other 
crimes  ;  for  if  I  sin  wilfully  against  God, 
after  he  hath  shewed  me  such  mercy,  I 
may  expect  to  have  the  hottest  hell."  He 
said,  "  I  have  a  worse  opinion  of  thee 
now  than  ever."  I  replied,  "  Master,  I 
have  the  odds  of  you  for  I  have  a  much 
worse  opinion  of  my.seJf,  than  you  caa 
have/' 

At  nigA  when  I  went  to  receive  my 
wages,  he  asked  me.  if  I  was  still  obsti- 
nate I  answered,  "  1  am  determined  not 
to  break  the  Sabbath ;  for  1  will  run  the 
hazard  of  wanting  bread  here,  before  I 
would  rnn  the  hazard  of  wanting  water 
hereafter."  He  said,  "  Wesley  has  made 
a  fool  of  thee,  and  thou  wilt  beggar  thy  fa- 
mily." I  had  a  glorious  Sabbath  that  day; 
for  God  blessed  my  soul  wonderfully  both 
under  the  word,  and  at  the  sacrament. 

I  Avent  on  Monday  morning  to  the  ex- 
chequer, to  take  care  of  my  tools,  not  ex- 
pecting to  work  there  any  more.  But  God 
hath  the  hearts  of  men  in  his  own  hand  : 
for  he  that  was  so  wroth  with  me  on  the 


Mn.   30HN  "NELSON. 


Saturday,  now  gave  me  good  words,  and 
bid  me  set  the  men  to  work.  From  that 
time  he  carved  better  for  me  than  before  ; 
neither  did  he  set  any  man  to  work  on  the 
Sabbath  as  he  had  said  he  would.  So  I 
see  it  is  good  to  obey  God,  and  cast  our 
■care  upon  him,  who  will  order  all  things 
well ;  for  if  we  refuse  to  join  with  the 
wicked,  it  will  be  a  restraint  to  them. 

In  the  time  of  my  convictions,  I  never 
let  my  wife  know  of  my  trouble  ;  but  now 
1  could  not  eat  my  morsel  alone  ;  I  there- 
forew  rote  to  her  and  all  my  relations,  to 
seek  the  same  mercy  that  I  had  found. 
However,  all  I  said  seemed  as  idle  tales 
to  most  of  them. 

Some  weeks  after,  three  gentlemen  (pro- 
cessed deists)  fell  upon  me,  and  reasoned 
with  me  for  about  an  hour  :  but  the  Lord 
put  such  words  in  m-j  mouth,  that  mado 
them  say,  Mr.  Wesley  had  taught  me  his 
own  lesson  ;  and  I  was  sunk  so  deep  into 
enthusiasm,  that  I  was  past  recovery.  Ne* 
vertheless  I  see  it  is  bad  for  weak  believ- 
ers to  reason  with  men  of  corrupt  princi- 
ples ;  for  after  some  time  the  enemy 
brought  their  words  to  my  mind,  and  began 
to  reason  withme  in  this  manner :  "Suppose 
Jesus  Christ  should  be  an  impostor 
(as  these  men  say  he  is)  thou  art  lost  for- 
ever." O  !  the  distress  I  was  in  for  a  short 
time.  But  I  made  a  stop  and  said,  "  If 
Jesus  Christ  be  not  the  Son  of  God  and 
C 


25 


THE   JOURNAL  Of 


my  Saviour,  I  will  be  damned,  for  I  wiii 
have  no  other."  Then  the  cloud  broke, 
and  my  soul  was  so  filled  with  love,  that  I 
thought,  if  all  the  world,  yea  and  the  de- 
vils in  hell,  were  to  set  on  me,  they  could 
not  make  me  disbelieve  that  Jesus  CJirist 
is  a  very  and  true  God,  and  my  Redeemer. 

I  daily  reproved  all  that  sinned  in  the 
work  where  I  was  ;  so  that  none  of  them 
■would  swear  in  my  presence.  But  having 
no  christian  friend  to  converse  with,  I 
kept  close  to  God  in  prayer,  and  read  the 
bible  at  all  opportunities,  and  heard  one 
of  the  Mr.  VVesleys  every  Sunday,  and 
stirred  up  many  others  to  hear  them.  And 
though  1  had  many  trials,  1  was  so  kept 
by  the  power  of  God,  that  nothing  dis- 
turbed my  peace  for  some  time. 

Once,  however,  as  I  was  reading  in  the 
'  ble,  a  gentlewoman  (that  lived  in  part 
.  '  tiie  house)  brought  me  a  book,  and  said, 
"  You  are  often  reading  the  bible  ;  if  you 
please  I  will  lend  yon  this  book  :  my  mo- 
ther, she  added,  took  delight  in  reading 
therein."  1.  thanked  her  and  began  to 
read.  For  some  pages  it  was  agreeable  to 
many  things  I  had  experienced  in  the 
time  of  conviction  ;  but  it  was  not  at  all 
correspondent  to  my  experience,  as  to  my 
conversion  ;  pleading  lor  sin  after  con- 
version to  keep  the  saints  humble,  and  ma- 
king Gcd  the  author  of  all  sin. 


MR.  JOHN  NELSO.N 


Then  the  enemy  began  to  reason  with 
^me,  that  1  ouglit  not  to  reprove  sin  any 
jnore.  From  that  time  my  love  began  to 
cool  both  iinlo  God  and  man,  and  my 
zeal  for  the  salvation  of  others  abated  ; 
and  though  the  more  I  read,  the  worse  1 
was,  yet  1  was  tempted  to  read  it  through. 

Before  I  read  in  that  book,  (  did  not 
know  there  was  a  man  in  the  «  orld  who 
held  such  an  opinion  ;  for  in  iny  trials,  i 
believed  every  threatening  in  the  bible 
was  against  liie  disobedient,  and  every 
promise  to  those  that  turn  to  God  But 
now  I  was  tempted  to  think  I  was  safe, 
do  whatever  I  would,  l  et  I  still  prayed, 
"  Lord,  let  me  die,  rather  than  live  to  sia 
against  thee.'' 

1  had  never  spoke  to  ?>Ir.  Wesley  in  my 
life,  nor  conversed  with  an  experienced 
man  about  religion.  I  longed  to  find  one 
to  talk  with  ;  but  I  sought  in  vain,  for  I 
could  find  none. 

One  time  as  I  was  reasoning  about  what 
1  had  read,  1  opened  the  bible  on  these 
words,  "  If  any  man  lack  wisdom,  let 
him  ask  of  God,  who  giveth  liberally,  and 
upbraideth  not  1  then  prayed,  "  O 
Lord,  what  1  know  not  do  thou  teach 
me."  And  I  thought  I  would  wait  upon 
the  Lord  in  lasting  and  prayer  till  he  re- 
vealed his  will  tome  -,  and  I  did  for  se- 
veral weeks  fast  from  Thursday  night  to 
"i?ht  o'clock  on  Saturday  morning  (s'pcnd 


£8 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


ing  the  time  I  was  off  my  work)  eiilic/ 
wpon  my  knees  at  prayer,  or  in  searching 
the  scriptures  ;  and  before  I  opened  my 
bible,  1  prayed  that  God  would  open  my 
understandingto  comprehend  what  I  read, 
1  think  the  first  scripture  that  was  appli- 
ed to  me  was,  "  As  ye  have  received  the 
Lord  Jesus,  so  walk  in  him.''  Then  I  re- 
membered what  state  my  soul  was  in, 
when  I  first  received  his  spirit  in  my 
heart ;  that  it  was  filled  with  love  to  every 
soul,  and  1  coul^pray  for  all  my  enemies 
as  well  as  myself  -,  but  this  book  had  turn- 
ed me  aut  of  that  blessed  state  I  was  in, 
by  setting  meto  reason  about  opinions  that 
I  never  heard  in  my  life,  till  several  weeks 
after  I  had  received  the  love  of  Christ  ; 
therefore  I  said  in  my  mind,  let  it  be  right 
©r  wrong,  it  is  not  necessary  for  salva- 
tion. I  found  the  Lord  to  be  my  Saviour, 
before  I  knew  there  was  a  man  in  the 
world  of  that  opinion  ;  and  before  I  read 
of  it,  I  loved  both  God  and  man  better 
than  I  have  done  since,  and  was  more 
Useful  in  reproving  and  doing  good  than 
I  am  now.  I  then  prayed  that  God  would 
give  me  that  simplicity  and  godly  sinceri- 
ty, that  I  walked  in  Avhen  he  first  reveal- 
ed Christ  in  my  heart.  And  he  answered 
me  in  a  wonderful  manner  ;  so  that  my 
tongue  was  loosed  to  reprove,  and  my  heart 
again  enlarged  to  pray  for  every  soul  uf 
man. 


MR.  30HS  NELSON 


1  now  went  on  my  way  rejoicing  for 
some  days  ;  and  had  so  much  of  the  Lord 
ail  the  day  long,  that  my  soul  seemed  to 
breath  it's  life  in  God  as  naturally  as  my 
body  breathed  life  in  the  common  air.  But 
one  day  I  'reproved  a  man  for  swearing, 
when  he  told  me  he  was  predestinated  to 
it,  and  did  not  trouble  himself  about  it  at 
all,  for  if  he  was  one  of  the  elect  he  should 
be  saved  ;  but  if  not,  all  he  could  do,  would 
not  alter  God's  decree  ;  so  al!  that  I  said 
to  him,  seemed  to  take  no  more  hold  of 
him,  than  if  I  had  thrown  a  leather  ball 
against  a  rock.  I  thought  God  was  very 
good  to  me,  who  kept  me  ignorant  of  those 
opinions  till  I  knew  my  part  in  the  all 
atoning  blood  ;  for  I  feared  if  I  had  heard 
such  things,  in  the  time  of  my  distress, 
they  would  have  been  the  destruction  of 
my  body  and  soul.  Yet  I  durst  not  say 
any  thing  against  that  opinion,  but  wish- 
ed 1  had  some  experienced  man  to  con- 
verse with  about  it,  for  I  was  brought  in- 
to heaviness  again  by  reasoning,  but  alas  ! 
not  one  could  1  find. 

I  still  continued  to  wait  on  the  Lord, 
with  fasting  and  prayer.  One  fast-day, 
being  greatly  perplexed,  I  opened  the 
book  on  these  words,  "  as  I  live,  saith  the 
Lord,  I  have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  a 
sinner."  Then  my  heart  was  set  at  liber- 
ty ;  and  I  cried  out,  "  Glory  be  to  thee,  O 
Lord,,  lb*:,  thou  hast  giyeu  me  thy  word. 


;-o 


THE   JOURNAL  OT 


and  thy  spirit  in  my  heart,  to  bear  wit- 
ness that  thou  art  no  respecter  of  persons-" 

Now  1  found  such  a  desire  for  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  that  1  hired  one  of  the  men 
to  go  and  hear  Mr.  Wesley  preach,  who 
hath  since  told  me,  it  was  the  best  thing 
both  for  him  and  his  wife,  that  ever  man 
did  for  them. 

All  that  hard  winter,  I  still  fasted  from 
Thursday  night  to  Saturday  morning  ; 
and  gave  away  the  meat  that  I  should 
have  eaten  to  the  poor,  spending  my  time 
in  praying  and  reading  the  scripture. 

About  this  time  several  came  to  see  me, 
who  finding  me  at  work,  looked  at  each 
other  like  men  amazed,  and  said  they 
were  glad  to  see  me  so  well.  I  told  them 
I  had  not  had  one  day's  sickness  for  six 
months.  They  said,  "  A  man  that  work- 
eth  at  the  treasury  with  you,  told  us,  you 
had  been  hearing  that  false  prophet,  Wes- 
ley ;  and  had  made  you  go  mad,  and  inca 
pable  of  working."  "  Well,  said  1,  here  is 
my  master,  he  can  testify  that  I  have  not 
lost  one  day  s  work  this  half  year,  nor  was 
I  better  able  to  do  any  work  in  all  my 
life  ;  but  I  have  heard  Mr.  Wesley,  and 
have  reason  to  bless  God  for  it,  for  he  is 
God's  niessenger  for  my  good  "  Some 
words  that  1  spoke  seemed  to  stick  in 
them  ;  so  that  I  hope  Satan  will  lose 
ground  by  that  false  and  ill  grounded  re- 
port. 


IIR.  JOHN  NELSON". 


SI 


The  enemy,  however,  now  came  upon 
ine  with  other  temptations,  and  prepared 
such  instruments  to  destroy  my  soul,  that 
1  feared  I  should  be  overcome,  and  perish 
at  last;  for  wherever  I  went,  the  snare 
was  laid  for  me,  and  my  soul  was  so  har- 
rassed  with  my  wicked  dreams,  that  1 
have  often  awaked  and  found  my  pillow 
wet  with  tears,  after  thinking  that  the 
enemy  would  reason  with  me  about  some 
hini  had  committed  in  my  dream  ;but  this 
drove  me  more  to  prayer,  and  shewed 
me  my  corrupt  nature  in  such  a  light,  that 
I  abhorred  myself,  and  thought  the  Lord 
never  undertook  to  save  one  more  like  the 
devil  in  nature  than  1  was.  And  it  was 
often  impressed  on  my  mind,  that  if  I  held 
out  to  {he  end,  I  should  have  great  reason 
to  sing  louder  in  the  redeemer's  praise 
tharuany  other  soul  in  heaven. 

I  would  fain  have  known  whether  any 
one  that  had  the  grace  of  God  in  him,  was 
tertipted  day  and  night  as  I  was  ;  but  my 
business  being  altogether  at  the  court  end 
of  the  town,  1  had  no  one  to  open  my  mind 
to.  Then  I  took  up  the  bible,  and  after 
prayin'g,  happeued  on  these  words  ofSto 
James,  "  Bles.sed  is  the  man  that  endur- 
eth  temptation  ;  for  when  he  is  tried  he 
shall  receive  the  crown  of  glory,  which 
■the  Lord  hath  promised  to  them  that  love 
•him." 


32 


THE  JOURNAl  OF 


One  night,  after  a  day  of  fasting,  f 
dreampt,  that  [  was  in  Yorkshire,  in  mj 
werking  clothes,  going  home  ;  and  as  i 
went  by  Paul  Champion's,  1  heard  a  migh- 
ty cry,  as  of  a  multitude  of  people  in  dis- 
tress ;  and  I  saw  in  my  dream,  the  large 
court  behind  John  Rhodes's  as  full  of  peo- 
ple as  they  could  stand  by  one  another. 
All  on  a  audden,  they  began  to  scream  and 
tumble  one  over  another  ;  1  asked,  what 
was  the  matter  ?  and  they  told  me,  Satan 
was  let  loose  among  them,  and  begged  of 
me  to  get  out  of  the  way,  for  he  was  com- 
ing ;  but  I  said,  "  by  the  grace  of  God,  I 
will  not  turn  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the 
left  for  him."  Then  1  thought  I  saw  him 
in  the  shape  of  ared  bull,  running  through 
the  people,  as  a  beast  runs  through  the 
standing  corn,  yet  did  not  offer  to  gore 
any  of  them,  but  made  directly  at  me,  as 
if  he  would  run  his  horns  into  my  heart. 
Then  I  cried  out,  "  Lord,  help  me  !'•  and 
immediately  caught  him  by  the  horns, 
'and  twisted  him  on  his  back,  setting  my 
right  foot  on  his  neck,  in  tlie  presence  of 
a  thousand  people  ;  and  I  bid  tnem  cry  to 
Jesus,  assuring  them,  that  what  they  had 
seen  me  do,  he  would  en&ble  them  to  do. 
When  I  a^Voke,  I  was  ia  a  sweat,  and  my 
feody  was  as  much  fatigued,  as  if  I  bad, 
been  at  hard  labour,  but  my  soul  was  fil' 
kd  with  joy. 


WR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


A  little  after  this,  as  I  was  reading  the 
Scriptures,  a  letter  came  to  me  ;  I  saw  it 
was  not  from  my  wife  ;  then  I  said,  "  I 
fear  here  is  bad  news."  Upon  opening  it, 
I  found  ray  daughter  was  dead,  whom  I 
formerly  idolized  :  my  son  was  so  ill  that 
his  life  was  despaired  of ;  my  wife  had 
fallen  from  a  horse  and  was  lamed  ;  my 
father-in-law  was  dead,  and  my  mother 
was  sick.  It  then  came  to  my  mind,  that 
when  I  was  at  the  sacrament,  I  had  made 
a  fr^e-will  offering  to  the  Lord,  of  my  bo- 
dy and  soul,  wife  and  children,  and  all 
that  was  near  and  dear  to  me  ;  but  I 
thought,  how  shall  I  bear  it,  now  the 
Lord  has  taken  them  at  my  hand.  1  went 
to  prayer,  and  found  my  heart  wholly 
resigned  to  the  will  of  God.  Then  it 
came  to  me,  Let  the  dead  bury  their 
dead  ;  but  follow  thou  me."  I  began  to 
read  again,  and  the  people  of  the  house 
where  1  was,  scolded  me.  because  I  did 
not  weep,  wring  my  hands,  and  stamp  as 
they  did,  at  the  loss  of  a  child  ;  saying, 
I  was  a  hard  hearted  father.  I  replied, 
"  I  cannot  tell  how  to  chuse  what  is  Dest ; 
but  God  cannot  err." 

The  May  following  I  was  ordered  to 
take  some  men  and  go  to  Lord  Onslow's, 
near  Guildford  in  Surry,  to  do  a  piece  of 
work  that  would  last  all  Summer.  This 
was  heavy  tidings  ;  for  I  thought  I  was 
but  weak  in  faith,  and  should  be  deprived 


34 


THE    JOUjlN.M-  OF 


of  hearing  Mr.  Wesley,  and  have  no  quo 
to  converse  with.  I  desired  to  be  excus- 
ed, but  all  in  vain.  1  believe  I  should 
have  left  my  master,  but  I  thought  it 
would  be  unjust  to  leave  him  in  such  a 
busy  time,  when  he  had  kept  me  employ- 
ed all  that  haj"d  winter.  However,  it  made 
me  cry  to  the  Lord  to  go  with  me,  and 
protect  me  from  both  my  inward  and  out- 
ward enemies.  And  he  was  gracious  to 
me,  enabling  me  to  reprove  all  that  sinned 
in  my  presence;  so  that  a  young  gentle- 
man said  to  some  of  the  men,  "  Of  what 
religion  is  your  foreman  .?  Is  he  a  Baptist, 
or  is  he  a  Quaker  >'  They  replied.  "No 
Sir,  he  is  of  the  church  of  England."  He 
said,  "  he  may  tell  you  so  ;  but  he  is  no 
chui  chman  ;  for  you  can  hardly  speak  at 
table,  but  he  is  reproving  us  and  if  he 
saysbutoneword,  we  cannot  persuade  him 
to  drink  a  glass  more. '  I  overheard  him, 
though  he  did  not  see  me  ;  and  said,  "Sir, 
you  cive  a  bad  character  of  the  church  of 
Eiigtand,  if  you  siiy,  a  man  cannot  be  a 
churchman,  that  reproves  others  for  curs- 
ing and  swearing,  and  refuses  to  drink  to 
excess  " 

Oiie  day  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Coiiinions,  came  to  visit  my  Lord  ;  and 
taking  a  view  of  the  work,  he  asked  me 
many  questions  about  it,  which  I  answer- 
ed as  well  as  I  could.  He  said,  "This  is 
a  fine  house,   and  a  fine  estate  of  land 


MR.   JOHN  NELSQN. 


3.5. 


about  it !  But  what  it  signify  ?  For  a 
piece  of  land,  six  feet  long  ami  tiiree 
broad,  will  fit  me  shortly."  He  then 
fetched  a  deep  sigh,  went  away,  and  wallc- 
ed  alone  among  the  trees. 

While  J  was  at  Cuildford  I  had  several 
conversations  with  soais  Baptists.  But 
alas!  their  religion  lay  in  notions  ;  I  found' 
no  true  experience  amongst  theni.  1  rea- 
soned with  them  about  the  necessity  of  the 
New  Birth;  and  contended  with  many 
other  sects,  that  all  religion,  without  the 
lile  of  Christ  manifested  in  us,  would  pro- 
fit us  nothing  at  last. 

I  heard  that  some  who  were  called  se- 
rious people,  said  that  1  was  a  dangerous 
man  to  converse  with  ;  and  others  sliunned 
my  company  after  1  had  talked  with  them. 
Then  1  thought,  1  wouhi  lea\  c  off  reprov- 
ing and  reasoning,  ftr  1  made  myself  to 
be  abhorred.  I  cried  out,  Lord,  shew 
me  what  is  thy  Will  in  this  matter,"  then 
laid  me  down  in  great  heaviness.  That 
night  I  dreamt,  1  saw  a  tall  young  person 
in  a  white  vesture,  whose  face  shone  like 
the  sun,  standing  at  the  foot  of  my  bed, 
who  said  unto  me,  "  Arise,  and  praise  the 
Lord/'  I  thought  a  great  light  shone 
round  my  bed,  by  which  1  saw  myself  de- 
filed from  the  top  of  my  head  to  the  sole 
of  niy  foot  ;  and  answered,  "  How  can 
such  an  unclean  creature  shew  forth  the 
pnaises  of  God."     Then  1  thought  he 


So 


The  30UKNAL  OF 


shevred  me  a  river,  as  clear  as  crystal, 
with  fine  green  grass  growing  at  the  bot- 
tom thereof,  in  which  he  bade  me  wash 
and  be  clean.  I  thought  I  went  at  his  bid- 
bing  :  and  as  soon  as  my  feet  were  dipped 
in  the  water,  the  filth  dropped  from  my 
whole  body ;  nevertheless  the  water  was 
not  defiled  by  it,  at  which  I  was  surprised. 
When  I  came  to  the  middle  of  the  river, 
it  was  deeper  than  I  was  high,^  and  I 
knew  I  could  not  swim  ;  yet  my  soul  was 
so  filled  with  the  sense  of  God  s  love,  that 
my  head  was  kept  above  water.  1  then 
thought  I  spread  my  hands,  like  a  man 
who  is  going  to  swim,  and  as  1  laboured  to 
swim,  1  rose  out  of  the  water,  and  was 
carried  as  on  the  wings  of  an  eagle  above 
the  clouds,  and  cried,  "  Hosanna  to  the 
king  of  heaven."  And  though  asleep,  I 
sung  so  loud,  that  I  awaked  the  people  of 
the  house.  I  now  resolved  to  reprove  a- 
gain,  and  seemed  to  do  it  with  more  au- 
thority than  before^  and  my  words  began 
to  stick  to  some,  and  cause  them  to  re- 
form their  lives. 

About  Michaelmas  I  came  back  to  Lon- 
don ;  and  several  that  used  to  attend  Mr. 
Wesley's  preaching  at  Kennington-Com- 
mon  and  Moorfields,  who  had  also  joined 
with  him  in  the  foundery,  came  to  see 
me  ;  at  which  I  was  surprised,  having  no 
correspondence  with  them  any  farther  than 
speaking  one  to  another,  as  we  went  from 


MR.   X)HN   NELSOX.  3/ 

place  to  place  lo  hear  him  preach.  At 
their  first  comiug,  I  thought  it  was  the 
thing  1  longed  for  ;  ol'ten  wishing  that  I 
had  some  christian  friends  to  converse 
with.  They  said  they  heard  1  was  come 
to  town,  and  the  love  they  bore  me,  made 
them  come  to  see  nie.  I  answered,  "  1 
thank  you  ;  pray  how  does  my  good  friend 
Mr.  Wesley  do  r  They  replied,  "  We 
do  not  know  ;  poor  dear  man,  he  is  wan- 
dering in  the  dark  ;  but  we  hope  our  Sa- 
viour will  open  his  eyes,  and  let  him  see 
that  he  is  a  blind  leader  of  the  blind." 
Their  words  were  as  a  sword  running 
through  my  liver  ;  and  made  me  cry  out, 
"  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  him  !  What  is 
the  matter  with  him  '  They  answered, 
"  Poor  dear  man,  he  is  under  the  law, 
and  does  not  know  the  privilege  oftbe 
gospel  himself  therefore  he  preaches  law 
and  works."  1  said,  "  Then  he  is  strange- 
ly altered  since  I  left  London  for  when  I 
was  in  town  he  preached  repentance  to- 
wards God,  and  the  faith  in  our  Lord  Je- 
sus :  teaching  the  necessity  of  both  as 
clearly  froiii  scripture,  as  any  man  in 
England  could,  and  shewing  the  fruits  of 
faith  as  plain  as  possible  for  any  man  to 
do  ;  and  I  found  his  word  to  l)e  more  bles- 
sed to  me,  than  any  man's  I  ever  heard  in 
my  life."  They  told  me  that  "  1  had  ne- 
ver heard  the  gospel  in  my  life,  except  1 
had  heard  the  brethren  that  preached  in 


5^ 


THE  JOURNAL  Ot 


Fetter-Lane  ;  for  they  were  the  men  that 
were  to  come  to  lead  them  into  true  still- 
ness." 1  said,  "  What  do  you  mean  by 
true  stillness  ?"  They  replied,  "  It  is  to 
cease  from  our  own  works,  such  as  last- 
ing and  prayer,  reading  the  bible,  and 
running  to  church  and  sacrament  ;  and 
■wholly  to  rely  on  the  blood  and  wounds  of 
the  Lamb."  I  said,  "  I  do  not  know  that 
1  ever  heard  either  of  the  Mr.  Wesleys 
bid  any  man  trust  in  prayer,  or  reading,  or 
going  to  sacrament,  or  giving  of  aims,  for 
salvation,  either  in  whole  or  in  part."  But 
they  answered,  "  Why  doth  he  teach  men 
to  do  those  things,  if  they  are  not  to  be  sa- 
ved by  tlieni  ? '  I  replied,  "  If  1  under- 
stand Mr.  Wesley  right,  he  only  speaks 
of  them  as  Christ  and  his  apostles  spake 
ofthem,  that  is,  to  wait  in  them  as  a  beg- 
gar waits  for  a  morsel  at  a  man  s  door.  1 
never  spoke  to  Mr.  WcsJey  in  my  life 
therefore,  know  not  what  be  believes, 
any  farther  than  by  his  preaching.  ' — 
Tiiey  told  me,  that  most  of  the  people,  who 
had  followed  him  before  I  left  London, 
had  forsaken  him,  and  were  becomehappy 
sinners  now  ;  and  wished  I  would  go  and 
hear  the  brethren,  for  Mr.  Wesley  waa 
only  a  John  Baptist  to  go  before  and  pre- 
pare them  for  the  brethren  to  build  up  : 
Adding,  "  If  you  go  to  hear  him,  he  will 
bring  you  into  bondage  ;  and  you  will  ne- 
ver be  happy  till  you  are  free  from  the 


Mn.  JOHN  NELSON'. 


S9 


law  •,  for  we  were  never  happy  till  we  left 
Jiiin,  .and  went  to  hear  Mr.  Molther  ;  and 
till  then,  we  were  under  the  law."  I  re- 
plied, "  Pray,  were  yon  not  converted 
beJore  you  left  Mr.  Wesley  '  They  an- 
swered, "  Yes,  we  had  gone  through  a 
great  deal  of  trouble,  and  tbund  great 
peace  and  joy,  knowing  our  sins  were  for- 
given ;  But  when  we  heard  Mr.  Molther, 
we  found  we  were  yet  under  the  law 
For  he  shewed  the  privilege  of  the  gospel, 
and  we  found  we  had  not  such  a  priri- 
,  lege  ;  for  if  we  broke  the  law  in  any  lit- 
tle matter  we  were  quite  unhappy  or  if 
we  neglected  to  pray,  or  missed  a  sermon 
or  two,  then  we  were  uneasy  •,  but  now 
we  are  happy,  for  the  Lamb  hath  done  all 
for  us.''  I  said,  "  Though  he  hath  done 
his  part,  yet  the  apostle  teaches  us  to 
I'ork;  out  our  salvation,  with  fear  and 
trembling  ;  and  we  are  to  pray  always,  and 
search  the  scriptures.  And  St.  Paul  fast- 
ed often,  and  kept  his  body  in  subjection, 
lest,  when  he  had  preached  to  others, 
himself  should  be  a  cast-away  :  But  you 
are  become  wiser  than  the  apostle,  and 
have  got  another  gospel.  Though  he  said, 
if  he  or  an  angel  from  heaven  shouid  preach 
another  gospel,  let  him  be  accursed.  I 
am  afraid  you  are  deceived,  and  are 
seeking  a  happiness  that  is  separated  from 
iioliness  ;  if  so,  you  are  led  by  a  deceiv- 
ii)g  spirit;  for  if  you  commit,  and  break 


THE   JOIRNAL  OP 


the  rigliteoua  law  of  God,  and  still  conti- 
r.tie  huppy,  without  anv  conviction  that 
God  is  so  offended  with  you,  your  consci- 
ences are  seared  as  with  a  hot  iron.*'  They 
answered,  "  You  are  a  poor  unhappy  man, 
and  as  blind  as  Mr.  Wesley."  and  so  left 
ine  without  either  praying  with  me  or 
lor  me. 

When  I  came  to  reason  about  what  they 
had  said,  and  to  compare  it  with  the 
words  of  our  Lord  and  his  apostles,  I  saw 
their  scheme  of  salvation  was  as  contrary 
to  that  of  Christ,  as  darkness  is  to  light. 
Tliii-drove  me  to  prayer,  and  made  me 
double  my  diligence  in  reading  the  bible. 

Jn  a  few  days  after,  two  more  that  were 
a  little  acquainted  with  me,  came  to  see 
me  :  1  asked  them,  "  Ilow  Mr.  Wesley 
was  > '  "  They  said,  they  did  not  know, 
i'or  they  did  not  hear  him  now.  '  I  tue\r\ 
ed,  "Why  do  you  not 'I'hcy  replied, 
"  He  denieth  the  faith  of  the  gospel.  "  1 
aajd,  "  I  am  sorry  for  it  ;  but  I  hope  you 
are  only  wrong  informed."  They  answer- 
ed," We  have  heard  ourselves."  I  repli- 
ed, "  What  do  you  nail  the  faith  of  the 
gospel  ?''  They  said,  "  Predestination  and 
election.  '  I  told  them,  I  thought  that  was 
not  the  faith  ol'the  gospel  ;  but  it  was  ra- 
ther for  every  one  to  believe  in  his  heart, 
that  he  is  a  fallen  spirit  by  nature,  a  child 
of  wrath,  and  by  practice  an  heir  of  hell  ; 
and  that  the  eteriial  son  of  God,  out  of  love 


MB.  JOHN  NELSON. 


41 


to  ine,  a  poor  helpless  and  liell-descrving 
creature,  laid  his  glory  by,  and  lor  my 
sake,  fulfilled  all  righteousness,  at  last 
giving  his  body  for  my  body,  and  his  soul 
for  my  soul  ;  and  that  God,  for  the  sake  of 
his  obedience  and  blood  shedding,  hath 
forgiven  all  my  sins.  I  said,  "  According 
to  the  light  I  have,  this  is  the  iaith  of  the 
gospel  ;  and  he  that  is  partaker  of  this 
faith,  hath  received  the  spirit  of  pow  er,  of 
love,  and  ofa  sound  Jiiind  ;  power  to  deny 
ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and  to  live 
a  godly,  righteous,  and  sober  life.''  I  add- 
ed, "  Pray,  under  whom  were  you  con- 
verted They  both  replied,  "  under  Mr. 
Charles  Wesley."  "  Did  he  then  preach 
what  you  now  call  the  gospel  ?"  They  re- 
plied, "No."  "Did  (Jod  reveal  that  to 
you  to  be  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  as  soon 
as  he  wrote  pardon  on  your  hearts  ?  ' 
'I'hey  said,  "  No  :  when  we  were  in  our 
first  love,  we  believed  as  Mr.  Wesley  be- 
lieves ;  but  now  we  see  better,  and  hope 
his  eyes  will  be  opened  shortly."  I  said, 
"  I  fear  yours  are  become  dim  -.  for  I  think 
you  are  more  light  and  unwatchful  than 
you  used  to  be  ;  and  you  own  you  have 
lost  your  first  love.  O  remember,  Christ 
bids  you  repent  and  do  your  first  works, 
or  he  will  remove  your  candlestick."  But 
they  told  me,  "  Do  what  we  will,  we  can- 
not finally  fall."  1  answered,  "That  as 
far  as  I  coidd  Jearn  by  their  wordsand  be- 
D  2 


4S 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


haviour,  they  were  already  fallen  :  And 
I  wished  they  did  not  make  a  Christ  of 
their  opinions:  for  though  I  allow  many 
good  men  hold  these  opinions,  yet  I  judge, 
all  that  were  converted  under  the  two 
Mr.  Wesleys,  were  at  first  filled  with  love 
to  every  man,  and  a  perfect  hatred  to  all 
sin,  and  were  inspired  with  a  zeal  for 
God's  glory,  and  the  welfare  of  all  man- 
kind. Were  you  not  in  this  state  once?'* 
They  owned  they  were,  till  they  heard  Mr; 
Sawyers  ;  and  it  was  by  him  they  saw  in- 
to the  electing  love  of  God.  "  I  replied, 
"  I  fear  you  have  sinned  aginst  light  and 
love  ;  and  instead  of  going  back  to  the 
Lord,  by  true  repentance,  and  seeking  a 
fresh  pardon  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  you 
have  been  gadding  about  to  seek  new  opi- 
nions: you  have  gone  out  of  the  highway 
of  holiness,  and  have  now  got  into  the  de- 
vil's pinfold.  You  are  not  seeking  to  per- 
fect holiness  in  the  fear  of  God,  but  are 
resting  in  opinions,  that  give  you  liberty 
to  live  after  the  flesh  :  And  ifyou  conti- 
nue so  to  live,  you  are  safe  in  this  hold, 
out  of  which  you  will  be  brought  to  the 
slaughter."  They  told  me  I  m  as  as  stu- 
pid as  Mr.  Wesley.  I  replied,  "  Satan 
had  preached  that  doctrine  to  me  before 
they  did  ;  and  God  had  armed  me  against 
both  him  and  them."  Then  they  left  me 
in  my  blind  estate  as  they  called  it.  And 
1  prayed,  that  I  might  never  turn  out  of 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


43 


the  way  that  God  had  called  me  into. — 
On  Sunday  I  had  the  opportunity  of  hear- 
ing Mr.  John  Wesley  once  more  ;  and  his 
word  was  precious  food  to  my  soul.  Then 
1  blessed  the  I,ord  that  still  had  kept  his 
servant  as  an  iron  pillar,  in  the  same  spi- 
rit in  which  I  left  him  ;  but  1  observed  a 
great  part  of  the  congregation  were  stran- 
gerstome,  for  many  of  the  old  hearers  were 
gone,  and  others  come  in.  When  1  found, 
that  some  had  turned  to  the  Germans,  and 
some  to  the  Predestinarians,  I  said  "  O 
Lord  I  will  praise  thee,  for  thou  dost 
all  things  well.  Thou,  by  thy  providence 
didst  send  me  out  of  town,  when  the  ene- 
my was  rending  thy  flock  to  pieces,  and 
thereby  thy  servant  hath  escaped  the 
snare." 

A  few  weeks,  after  1  was  at  St.  Paul's, 
where  Mr.  John  Wesley  also  was.  And 
I  contrived  to  walk  with  him  after  sacra- 
ment ;  for  1  often  wished  I  could  speak 
with  him,  therefore  I  seized  this  oppor- 
tunity. So  we  continued  in  discourse 
all  the  way  from  St,  Paul's  to  the  farther 
end  of  Upper  Moorfields  ;  and  it  was  a 
blessed  conference  to  nie.  When  we  part- 
ed, he  took  hold  of  my  hand  and  looking 
me  full  in  the  face,  bid  me  take  care  I  did 
not  quench  the  spirit.  I  had  not  such  an 
opportunity  again  while  I  stayed  in  Lon- 
don .either  with  him  or  his  brother;  but  I 
kept  close  to  God  by  fasting  and  prayer; 


44 


The  JOURSAt  OF 


and  the  Lord  helped  me  through  many 
trials. 

One  night  after  1  had  been  delivered 
from  grievous  temptations,  my  soul  was 
filled  with  such  a  sense  of  God's  love  as 
i7Kidc  me  weep  before  him.  In  the  night 
f  dreamed  !  was  in  Yorkshire,  going  from 
Gomersal-Hill-Top  to  Cleck-Heaton  ;  and 
about  the  middle  of  the  lane,  I  thought  I 
saw  Satan  coming  to  meet  me  in  the  shape 
of  a  tall  black  man,  and  the  hair  of  his 
head  1  ike  snakes.  But  I  thought  I  was  not 
afraid  at  all  ;  and  I  said,  "  Stand  by  me 
()  Lord  and  I  will  not  turn  to  the  right 
hand,  nor  to  the  left."  Yet  1  thought  I 
would  not  stand  to  fight  with  him  as  I 
used  to  do.  When  he  ame  within  about 
five  paces  of  ine  he  stood.  But  i  went 
on,  riptopen  my  clothes,  and  shewed  him 
my  naked  breast,  saying,  "  See.  here  is 
the  blood  of  Christ."  Then  I  thought  he 
lied  from  me  as  fast  as  a  hare  could  run. 

I  was  still  attacked  by  the  iMoravians  on 
one  side,  and  the  Predestinarians  on  the 
other.  But  the  Lord  enabled  me  to  stop 
their  mouths  and  to  shew  them  that  they 
had  lost  their  first  love.  Yet  they  seemed 
to  be  hardened  and  past  all  conviction. 
And  the  morfe  ]  read  the  scriptures,  the 
more  I  was  confirmed  that  they  were  fal- 
len into  carnal  security.  Which  made 
me  pray  more  earnestly,  that  God  would 
preserve  me  from  all  the  snares  of  the  de- 
vil. 


MB.   JOHN    NELSOX.  4J 

About  ten  days  before  Christmas  I  went 
to  St-  Paul'fij  and  while  I  was  at  the  com- 
munion tabic,  I  felt  such  an  awful  sense 
of  God  rest  upon  me,  that  my  heart  w  as 
like  melting  w  ax  before  him  ;  and  all  my 
prayer  was,  "Thy  will  be  done:  Thy 
will  be  done  !"  I  was  so  dissolved  into 
tears  of  love,  that  I  could  scarce  take  the 
bread  ;  and  after  I  had  received,  it  was 
impressed  on  my  mind,  "  I  must  go  into 
Yorkshire,  directly  ''  But  I  said  in  myself, 
"  If  1  do,  it  will  be  ten  pounds  out  of  my 
way.''  I  had  determined  to  go  at  May- 
day ;  but  I  thought,  to  stay  for  the  sake 
of  money  would  be  wrong,  when  I  believ- 
ed it  was  the  w  ill  of  God  1  should  go.  So  I 
packed  up  my  clothes  and  set  out.  I  found 
much  of  the  Lord's  presence  all  the  way  I 
went ;  but  1  had  no  more  thought  of  preach- 
ing than  I  had  of  eating  fire. 

When  I  got  home,  I  was  greatly  disap- 
pointed ;  for  1  expected  to  find  many  of 
my  relations  converted,  as  I  understood 
they  attended  Mr.  Ingham's  preaching. 
But  when  I  explained  to  them  what  it  was 
to  be  converted,  they  said  they  never 
heard  of  such  a  thing  in  their  lives.  J 
told  them,  I  knew  those  things  by  happy 
experience.  But  they  begged,  I  would 
not  tell  any  one  that  my  sins  were  forgiv- 
en V  for  no  one  would  believe  me  ;  and 
they  should  be  ashamed  to  shew  their  faces 
in  the  street.    I  answered,     I  shall  not 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


be  ashamed  to  tell  what  God  has  done  for 
my  soul,  if  I  could  speak  loud  enough 
lor  all  the  men  in  the  world  to  hear  me 
at  ouce."  Mj  mother  said.  "  Your  head 
'  is  turned.'^  I  replied,  *'  Yes,  and  my 
heart  too,  I  thank  the  Lord-"  My  wife 
told  me,  she  was  ashamed  to  put  her  head 
out  of  doors^  for  every  one  was  talking 
about  me,  and  upbraiding  her  with  my 
sayings  ;  and  she  wished  I  had  stayed  in 
London  ;  for  she  oould  not  live  with  me 
if  I  went  on  as  1  did  ;  for  which  reason, 
she  desired,  that  I  would  leave  off  abus- 
ing my  neighbours,  or  go  back  to  London. 
I  answered,  I  did  not  care  what  all  the 
people  could  say  for  I  was  determined 
to  reprove  any  one  that  sinned  in  my  pre- 
sence. Then  she  cried,  and  said,  I  did 
not  love  her  so  well  as  I  used  to  do.  I  re- 
plied, "  Yes,  I  love  thee  better  than  ever 
I  did  in  my  life,  and  thou  hast  no  reason 
to  dispute  my  love  ;  for  I  have  been  care- 
i'ul  to  provide  for  thee,  whether  1  was. 'lit 
home  or  abroad  ;  and  we  have  been  hap- 
py in  each  other  upwards  of  twelve  years  ; 
but  if  thou  wilt  seek  for  redemption  in 
the  blood  of  Christ,  we  shall  be  ten  times 
.happier  than  ever."  *She  then  said,  "  Nay, 
my  happiness  with  thee  is  over  ;  for  ac- 
cording to  thy  words,  I  am  a  child  of 
the  devil,  and  thou  a  child,  of  God."  Then 
she  wept,  and  said.  "  i  cannot  live  with 
thee."  1  said,  "  Why  so  ?  Thou  shalt  ne-: 


MR.   JOHN  NELS-.'N. 


47 


ver  want  while  I  am  able,  by  honest  en- 
deavours, to  provide  for  thee.  Nay,  (1 
continued)  if  thou  wilt  not  go  to  heaven 
with  me,  I  will  do  the  best  I  can  for  thee  ; 
only  I  will  not  go  to  hell  with  thee  for 
company.  But  I  believe,  God  will  hear 
my  prater,  and  convert  thy  soul,  and 
make  thee  a  blessed  companion  for  me  in 
the  way  to  heaven."  After  this,  my  wife 
began  to  be  concerned  about  the  salv^ation 
of  her  soul. 

A  few  days  after  1  got  home,  David 
Taylor  came  to  preach  in  our  town,  in 
Mr.  Ingham's  society,  when  I  went  to 
hear  him  :  and  a  dry  morsel  his  sermon 
was — Several  that  were  acquainted  with 
him  followed  me,  and  wanted  to  know 
how  I  liked  the  discourse.  1  was  back- 
ward to  tell  them,  but  they  pressed  hard 
on  me,  and  said,  "  Do  you  not  think  he 
is  as  good  a  preacher  as  Mr.  Wesley  >" 
1  said,  There  is  no  comparison  between 
his  preaching  and  Mr.  Wesley's:  He  has 
not  stayed  long  enough  in  the  large  room 
at  Jerusalem  ''  After  they  had  been  gone 
some  time,  they  came  again  to  ask  what  I 
meant.?  I  said,  '"He  is  not  endued  witii 
power  from  on  higlu"  They  went  and 
related  to  him  what  r  said  ;  and  he  told 
me  since,  that  if  1  had  been  present,  he 
could  have  stabbed  me  ;  yet  he  could  not 
rest  till  he  went  to  hear  Mr.  W^esley  at 
London.    Then  be  found  what  I  said  was 


48 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


true  ;  and  he  came  down  to  Sheffield,  and 
into  Derbyshire,  preaching,  what  he  call- 
ed, Wesley's  doctrine,  and  awakened 
and  converted  many  scores  of  people,  till 
the  Germans  got  to  him,  and  made  him 
deny  the  law  of  God;  Then  he  became 
again  as  salt  without  savour. 

J  went  afterwards  to  a  meeting  of  Mr. 
Ingham's,  where  one  read  in  an  old  book 
for  near  an  hour  :  then  sung  a  hymn,  and 
read  a  form  of  prayer.  I  told  them,  that 
way  would  never  convert  sinners;  and 
began  to  relate  some  of  my  experience  ; 
and  several  were  struck  with  convictions 
while  I  was  speaking:  Some  of  whom  be- 
came witnesses  of  the  same  grace,  that 
God  shewed  me. 

In  a  little  time,  all  I  said  was  noised 
abroad  ;  and  people  of  all  denominations 
came  to  dispute  with  me.  As  soon  as  I 
came  home  from  work,  my  house  was  fill- 
ed with  people,  which  made  my  wife  un- 
easy ;  for  she  could  do  no  work,  and  did 
not  yet  believe  what  I  said  was  true. 
Generally  when  I  came  in  and  sat  down, 
some  one  would  ask  me  a  question,  and 
others  would  begin  to  dispute  with  me, 
while  others  stood  ^  hear. 

When  any  began  to  cavil,  1  commonly 
asked,  "  What  church  do  you  belong  to  ?'' 
And  if  they  said,  the  Church  of  England, 
then  1  replied,  '•  Do  you  know  your  sins 
IbrgivEi:  f"  Several  said,  "  No,  nor  nsvcr^ 


MB.  JOHN  NELSON, 


49 


expect  to  know  it  in  this  world."  Then 
I  replied,  "  You  are  no  members  of  (he 
Church  of  England,  if  you  have  not  a  full 
trust  and  confidence,  that  God  for  Christ's 
sake  hath  forgiven  you.  Read  the  Homi- 
lies of  the  Church,  and  you  will  see  what 
1  say  is  true."  1  used  to  have  the  hible 
and  Common  'Prayer-Book  by  me  ;  and  I 
shewed  them  the  Articles  ef  the  Church, 
saying,  "You  deny  inspiration  ;  and  the 
Church  you  profess  to  belong  to,  sa}  s, 
Beibre  the  grace  of  Christ,  and  the  in- 
spiration of  his  Spirit,  no  good  works  can 
be  done  "  So  if  the  Church  speaks  right, 
you  must  be  inspired  by  the  Spirit  of 
Christ  to  enable  you  to  bring  foith  good 
fruit,  or  you  must  be  the  fuel  of  hell. 
And  how  dare  you  to  pray  to  have  your 
thoughts  cleansed  by  the  inspiration  of 
Cod's  Holy  Spirit,  if  you  do  not  believe 
there  is  any  such  thing  to  be  attained  in 
this  world  >  O  !  do  not  mock  God  any 
more,  by  asking  for  things  with  your 
mouth,  when  you  do  not  believe  in  your 
hearts  be  will  grant  them."  But  one  said, 
"  I  have  been  with  a  very  learned  Clergy- 
man of  a  neighbouring  church,  and  he 
told  me,  there  was  ^o  such  thing  to  be 
attained  in  this  life.'  I  answered,  "I 
think  you  have  mistaken  him,  for  1  was 
at' that  church  last  Sunday,  and  heard 
him  declare  all  1  have  said  to  you."  He 
said,  "  1  was  there,  and  heard  no  such 
E 


50 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


thing  mentiosed  "  I  repl'ed,  "  No  !  ditt 
you  not  hear  hiin  affinn ,  '  That  God  had 
given  power  and  commandment  to  his  mi- 
nisters, to  declare  and  pronounce  to  his 
■people,  being  penitent,  the  absolution  of 
their  sins  ?  And  he  farther  declared, 
that  God  pardoneth  and  absolvetJi  ail  those 
that  truly  repent,  and  unfeignedly  believe 
his  gospel.'  Therefore,  it  ib  plain,  you 
never  did  repeait,  or  unfeignedly  believe 
his  gospel,  if  God  has  not  pardoned  and 
absolved  you  from  your  sins.  Else  both 
lie  and  all  that  are  in  Priest's  orders  ia 
England,  are  false  witnesses  before  God 
and  man.  And  how  many  times  have  you 
besought  God  to  give  you  true  repentance  j 
and  to  forgive  you  all  your  ains,  negligen- 
ces, and  ignorances:  and  to  endue  you 
with  tlie  grace  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  that 
3'ou  might  amend  your  ways  according  to 
his  holy  word  >  And  now  you  say  there 
is  no  such  thing  !  thougliyou  may  remem- 
ber Mr.  11.  said,  "  Let  us  beseech  God  to 
grant  us  true  repentance,  and  his  Holy 
y[)irit,  that  those  things  may  please  him, 
which  we  do  at  this  present  ;  and  that 
the  rest  of  our  lives  may  be  pure  and 
holy."  Hi 

By  these  discourses,  many  were  prick- 
ed to  the  heart,  and  durst  not  offer  the 
sacrifice  of  fools  any  more  ;  but  prayed 
in  good  earnest  for  God  to  pardon  thei/"' 
sins,  and  to  answer  them  in  the  joy  of 
their  hearts. 


MB.   JOHN  NELSON. 


51 


"When  any  said,  they  were  of  the 
Church  of  Scotland  I  asked  them,  if 
they  did  not  know  their  sins  forgiven  ? 
They  to\d  me,  that  they  did  not ;  nay, 
further,  they  thought  it  presumption  for 
any  one  to  pretend  to  know  it,  or  to  ex- 
pect such  high  attainments  as  1  spoke  of; 
and  they  told  me  I  was  a  Papist,  or  1 
Mould  not  talk  as  I  did.  I  answered, 
"  I  know  not  what  you  think  of  me  ;  but 
1  think,  you  neither  know  wjiat  a  Papist 
or  Presbyterian  is  ;  for  your  own  mouths 
declare,  that  you  are  no  members  of  the 
Church  of  Scotland.  That  Church  dis- 
owns  you  ;  for  none  are  allowed  members 
thereof,  but  those  that  are  effectually  call- 
ed. And  they  that  are  cft'ectirally  called, 
do  in  this  life  partake  of  Justification, 
Adoption,  and  Sanctification.  And  the 
same  Church  saith,  that  .Justification  is 
an  act  of  God  s  free  grace,  wherein  he 
pardoneth  all  our  sins  Adoption  is  an 
act  of  God's  free  grace,  by  which  we  are 
received  into  the  number,  have  a  right 
to  all  the  privileges  of  God's  sons  ;  and 
that  Sanctiiication  is  the  work  of  God's 
free  grace,  whereby  we  are  renewed  in 
the  inner  man,  after,  the  whole  image  ol" 
God  ;  and  all  that  are  so  eflectuaily  call- 
ed, do  enjoy  an  assurance  of  God's  love, 
paace  of  conscience,  and  joy  in  the  Ho 
ly  Ghost.  And  I  pray  you,  what  have 
1  Said  more  .>  By  your  talking,  you  arc 


>53 


THE  JOURNAL  Of 


the  sons  of  Rome,  and  enemies  to  the 
true  Protestant  Religion.  I^et  me  beg 
you  lo  go  home,  and  read  the  Assem- 
bly's Catechism,  and  come  and  talk,  with 
me  again,  after  you  have  read  it."  Se- 
veral ot  them  did  so ;  and  came  with 
tears  in  their  eyes  ;  and  arc  now  wit- 
nesses, that  God  had  power  on  earth  to 
forgive  sins. 

1  found  it  always  in  my  mind  not  to 
let  any  depart  that  came  to  dispute  with 
ine,  till  we  had  prayed  together.  The  first 
that  was  brought  to  experience  the  re- 
deeming love  of  Christ,  was  my  own 
brother ;  and  in  a  few  days  six  of  my 
neighbours. 

My  wife  also  was  thoroughly  convinced 
that  she  must  experience  the  same  work 
of  grace,  or  perish.  During  the  time  of 
her  convictions  she  was  seized  with  u 
pleurisy,  and  her  case  was  thought  to  be 
very  dangerous  :  then  I  besought  the  Lord 
lor  her  with  fasting  and  prayer.  The 
next  day  she  was  worse  ;  and  the  distress 
of  her  soul  increased  the  disorder  of  her 
body,  so  that  she  seemed  as  if  she  could 
not  subsist  long.  That  night  my  house 
was  filled  with  people,  and  none  of  them 
oHered  to  dispute  with  me.  i  read  seve- 
ral portions  of  Scripture  to  them,  some 
out  of  the  Old,  some  out  of  the  New  Tea- 
tament,  and  compared  one  with  another, 
and  prayed  with  them.  As  I  was  inprayer,, 


MB.   JOHN  NELSON 


my  wife  being  in  the  parlour,  and  with- 
in hearing,  fHiiited,  and  was  as  il"  slie  had 
Just  sunk  into  the  gulf  of  God's  judgments -. 
immediately  she  thought  she  felt  the  Lord 
J«sus  catch  her  as  she  was  falling,  and  lay 
his  hand  on  her  side,  where  the  disorder 
was,  and  bade  her  be  of  good  comfort ;  tell- 
ing her.  Thy  sins  are  forgiven.  When  I 
came  to  the  bed  side,  she  was  just  come  to 
herself,  and  said,  "  My  dear,  the  Lord  has 
healed  me  both  in  body  and  soul  !  I  will 
get  up  and  praise  his  holy  name  which 
she  accordingly  did.  From  that  hour  her 
fever  ceased,  and  her  heart  was  tilled 
witJi  peace  and  lave. 

Now  God  had  raised  up  eight  witnesses 
to  himself  in  this  place  :  and  the  enemies 
heg)in  to  report,  that  I  had  forgiven  such 
ikod  such  their  sins,  which  made  many 
come  and  talk  with  me. 

One  night  1  went  to  Adwalton,  to  hear 
Mr.  Ingham  preach.  As  soon  as  I  got 
into  the  house,  he  called  me  into  the  par- 
lour, aiid  desired  the  company  that  was 
with  hira,  to  go  out,  for  he  had  something 
to  say  to  me.  When  they  went  out,  he 
rose  up,  barred  the  door,  then  sat  down 
by  me,  and  aiked  me,  how  my  wif«  did.* 
When  I  had  told  him,  he  said,  "  Do  yo\i 
know  your  own  heart,  think  you?*'  I  an- 
swered, *•  Not  rig^itly  :'but  {  know  Jesus 
Christ ;  and  he  knows  and  hath  taken 
poflsesiiion  of  it :  and  tliough  it  be  deceit- 


^4  The  journal  of 

fiil,  yet  he  can  subdue  it  to  himself;  and 
I  trust  he  will."  He  said,  "  Have  you 
not  deceived  yourself  with  thinking  that 
your  sins  ate  forgiven,  and  that  you  arc 
in  a  state  of  grace  ?  I  was  three  years 
seekinc;  before  I  found  him."  I  replied, 
'*  Suppose  you  were,  do  you  confine  God 
to  be  three  years  in  converting  every 
soul,  because  you  were  so  long?  God  is 
as  able  to  convert  a  soul  in  three  days 
now.  as  he  waste  convert  St.  Paul  1700 
years  ago." — I  then  began  to  tell  him 
what  I  had  seen  at  Loudon  under  Mr. 
Wesley's  preaching.  He  said,  he  pitied 
poor  Mr.  Wesley  ;  lor  he  was  ignorant  of 
his  own  state  ;  and  he  spoke  as  if  he  be- 
lieved Mr.  Wesley  to  be  an  unconverted 
ntan  ;  at  which  words  my  corrupt  nature 
be-gan  to  slir.  But  it  came  to  my  mind, 
"  The  wrath  of  man  workcth  not  the 
righteousness  of  God  ;"  and  1  lifted  up 
niy  heart  to  the  l^ord,  and  my  mind  was 
calm  in  a  n,o:ncrit.  He  said,  "  You  ought 
not  to  tell  people,  that  they  may  know 
their  sins  forgiven  ;  for  the  world  cannot 
bear  it  ;  and  if  such  a  thing  was  preach- 
ed, it  would  raise  persecution."  I  re- 
plied, "  Let  them  quake  that  fear.  By 
the  grace  of  God  I  love  everv  man,  but 
fear  no  man:  and  I  will  tell  all  I  can, 
that  there  is  such  a  prij^e  to  run  for.  If 
I  hide  it,  mischief  will  come  upon  me. 
There  is  a  famine  in  the  land,  and  J  see 


MR     JOHN  NELSON 


55 


myself  in  the  case  of  the  lepers  that  were 
at  the  gate  of  Samaria,  who  found  provi- 
sion in  the  enemy's  camp  :  and  when  they 
had  eat  and  drank,  and  loaded  them- 
selves, said,  "  We  do  not  well  ;  for  this 
is  a  day  of  glad  tidings,  let  us  go  and 
make  it  known  to  the  King's  household  : 
When  I  found  God's  wrath  removed  for 
tjie  sake  of  his  dear  Son,  I  saw  provision 
enough  for  my  poor  fainting  soul,  and'for 
all  the  world,  if  they  woutd  come  for  it. 
I  belie  -e  it  is  a  sin  not  to  declare  to  the 
children  of  men  what  God  has  done  for 
my  soul,  that  they  may  seek  for  the  same 
mercy."  He  told  me,  I  had  nothing  to  do 
with  the  Old  Testament,  or  to  make  com- 
parisons from  any  thing  that  was  in  it. 
1  ansivered,  "  I  have  as  much  to  do  with 
it  as  with  the  New  Testament."  He  re- 
plied, "1  would  not  have  you  speak  any 
more  to  the  people,  till  you  are  better 
acquainted  with  your  own  heart."  I  told 
him,  I  would  not  in  his  Societies,  unless 
I  was  desired  ;  but  what  I  did  in  my  own 
house,  or  in  any  other  person's,  that  re- 

fuested  me.  he  hath  no  business  with, 
added,  "  I  do  not  belong  to  you  ;  and 
though  I  have  heard  you  several  times, 
it  is  no  benefit  to  me  ;  for  I  have  experi- 
enced more  of  the  grace  of  God  than  ever 
I  hear'd  you  preach  of  yet,  or  any  one 
eince  I  left  London." 


6d 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


Soon  after  Mr.  Ingham  came  out  and 
began  to  preach  •,  when  I  was  greatly  sur- 
prised, for  what  he  had  forbidden  me  to 
do,  he  did  directly  :  he  told  tJiem  that 
night,  they  must  know  their  sins  forgiven 
in  this  world,  or  go  to  hell,  if  all  the  de- 
vils in  hell  could  pall  them  in. 

I  still  went  on  at  my  own  house  as  be- 
fore every  night  ;  and'  in  about  three 
weeks  my  eight  were  increased  to  seven- 
teen. 

As  t  was  explaining  Rom.  vii.  my  mo- 
ther I'ell  into  deep  convictions,  and  cried, 
"  1  am  a  lost  sinner/'  I  went  to  prayer 
with  her  ;  and  she  neither  ate  pleasant 
bread,  nor  took  natural  rest,  till  she  found 
redemption  through  the  blood  of  Christ. 
Then  she  came  to  me  witJi  tears  of  joy, 
and  said,  '*  Thank  God  on  my  behalf,  for 
he  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  me.  VVhcn 
thou  wast  a  lad,  1  had  more  trouble  with 
thee  than  any  other  child  ;  but  God  has 
more  than  rewarded  me  for  all  my  trou- 
ble, in  .that  he  has  raised  thee  up  to 
shew  me  the  way  of  salvation."  She  liv- 
ed about  six  months  after,  and  then  died 
m  the  triumph  of  faith.  She  was  the  first 
ripe  fruit  that  Cod  gave  me  of  my  la- 
bour. 

Soon  after,  another  of  my  brothers,  my 
aunt,  and  two  cousins,  were  converted  ; 
though  still  I  did  not  attempt  to  preach, 
but  read  some  part  of  the  Scripture,  thexj 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON.  57 

exhorted  tliem  to  observe  what  they  had 
heard  ;  and  .so  ended  witli  praj-er.  And 
God  wrought  in  a  wondeilul  manner  ;  for 
six  or  seven  were  converted  in  a  week  for 
•several  weeks  together.  All  this  time  I 
had  no  one  to  converse  with,  except  such 
as  wanted  to  turn  me  out  (  f  the  narrow 
path  ;  neither  had  1  any  correspondence 
with  Mr.  Wesley  ;  but  still  1  was  as  one 
set  to  labour  in  afield  alone. 

Alter  some  time  Peter  Bohler  came  in- 
to Yorkshire,  and  laboured  while  Mr*  Ing- 
ram went  to  London.  I  heard  hini,  and 
iie  pleased  mc  well  ;  for  at  that  time  he 
BpaKe  to  the  purpose.  When  he  had  done 
1  went  and  took  him  by  the  hand,  and 
thaaked  him  for  his  wholesome  exhorta- 
tion. He  asked  rae  my  name  I  told  him. 
He  saluted  me,  and  said,  *  My  brother,  ( 
am  glad  to  see  you  ;  for  I  have  just  now 
been  talking  with  some,  that  told  me  they 
were  converted  by  yon  ;  and  I  like  them 
better  than  any  souls  I  have  conversed 
with  since  J  came  into  Yorkshire.'  And 
he  added,  '  I  will  call  to  see  you  when  I 
come  to  Birstal  '  So  he  did,  and  stayed 
with  me  all  night,  and  encouraged  me  to 
speak  on  and  spare  none.  He  added,  '  The 
Lord  hath  called  you  to  labour  in  his  vine- 
yard; and  if  you  do  not  labour  he  will  call 
you  to  Judgment  for  it  '  I  told  hitn  that 
Mr.  Ingham  had  forbidden  me  ;  but  he 
said.  •  He  will  bo  back  from  London  in 


58 


The  journal  of 


three  weeks,  then  1  w  ill  speak  to  him  ;  for 
I  know  that  God  is  with  you  ;  and  I  will 
call  onj'ou  whenever  I  come  through  this 
town.'  So  he  did  at  that  season  ;  and  his 
conversation  was  profitable  to  me,  for  he 
then  sroke  as  contrary  to  the  Moravians 
M-ho  are  in  London,  as  black  is  to  white. — 
God  blessed  his  word,  for  many  were  awa- 
krMied  by  him  at  his  first  coming  into  York- 
shire. 

When  Mr.  Ingham  returned  from  Lon- 
don, he  came  to  brother  Mitchell's  in  our 
town,  and  sent  for  me.  He  saluted  me  as 
soon  as  I  came  in.  and  desired  me  to  sit 
down  by  him,  and  said,  '  John,  I  believe 
God  has  called  you  to  speak  his  word  ;  for 
I  have  spoken  with  several  since  I  came 
back  from  London  who  1  believe  have  re- 
ceived giacc  since  I  went  ;  and  I  see  God 
is  working  in  a  shorter  manner  than  he  did 
M'ith  us  at  the  beginning  ;  and  I  should  be 
sorry  to  hinder  any  one  from  doing  ^ood.' 
He  said  also  to  the  brethren  and  sisters. 
Before  you  all.  I  give  John  leave  to  ex- 
hort in  all  my  Societies.'  He  then  took  mc 
by  the  hand  saying,  '  John,  God  hath  given 
3'ou  great  honour,  in  that  he  hath  made  use 
ol'you  to  call  sinners  to  the  blood  of  our 
Saviour  ;  and  I  desire  you  to  exhort  in  all 
my  Societies  as  often  as  you  can.' 

i  did  so  ;  and  many  were  struck  to  the 
Jieart,  and  were  made  to  cry  out.  '  Lord 
save  or  we  perish  !'    So  that  nine  or  ten 

\ 


MR.  JOHN    NELSON,-  69 

in  a  week  were  brought  to  experience  the 
love  of  Jesus.  Those  that  were  ol'  the 
Church  of  England,  I  exhorted  to  kt-ep 
close  to  the  Church  and  Sacrament  ;  and 
the  Dissenters,  to  keep  to  their  own  meet- 
ings, and  to  let  their  light  shine  before 
those  of  their  own  community.  But  soon 
after  I  leai-nt.  that  Mr.  Ingham  advised 
the  contrary,  and  several  began  to  stay  at 
home  on  the  Sabbath,  which  made  me  very 
uneasy. 

One  night  I  had  been  disputing  .with  se- 
veral of  them  about  their  neglecting  the  or- 
dinances, and  about  their  speaking  against 
inward  holiness,  as  we  were  going  to  hear 
Peter  Bohler  at  Charles  Summerscales  s. 
"When  he  got  up,  he  took  two  verses  of  the 
tenth  chapter  of  St.  Matthew's  Gospel  : 
*  Whosoever  shall  confess  me  before  men, 
liim  will  I  confess  before  my  Father  which 
is  in  heaven  :  but  whosoever  shall  deny 
jne  before  men,  him  also  will  1  deny  be- 
fore my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.'  I 
thought  if  he  had  heard  all  that  1  had  said, 
and  had  laboured  to  justify  every  word  I 
had  spoken,  he  could  not  have  preaciied 
more  to  the  purpose  ;  for  he  said,  to  con- 
fess Jesus  was  to  live  to  him,  and  to  lion- 
our  hijn  with  body,  soul,  and  substance  ; 
and  to  deny  him  was  to  live  to  ourselves, 
by  refusing  to  do  what  he  commanded,  be- 
cause it  was  not  agreeable  to  nature,  and 
did  act  make  for  our  temporal  iuterest  — 


60 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


He  added,  '  If  any  one  did  so  much  as  l» 
keep  the  tip  of  his  little  finger,  to  commit 
sin  witli,  it  would  damn  both  bis  body  and 
soul  in  hell.' 

My  adversaries  now  hung  down  their 
heads  ;  and  complaint  was  made  to  Mr. 
Telchig,  that  Mr,  Bohler  preached  Wes- 
ley's doctrine,  and  he  was  sent  to  London 
soon  after.  He  came  back  in  three  weeks 
time  ;  but  such  a  change  tor  the  worse  did 
I  never  see  in  mortal  man  !  for  he  that  pro- 
fessed to  love  me  as  his  own  soul,  durst 
not  come  near  the  door  of  my  house,  nor 
converse  with  me  at  all  :  And  his  word 
was  aschaft  in  comparison  of  what  it  used 
tobe. 

Then  I  saw  what  was  coming  on  me,  and 
the  people  God  had  given  me.  This  made 
me  weep  in  secret  places  before  the  Lord  ; 
and  I  desired  to  die,  rather  than  live  to 
see  the  children  devoured  by  these  boars 
out  of  the  German  wood.  1  saw  many  de- 
luded by  their  soft  words  and  fair  speech- 
es ;  for  I  was  begetting  children,  and  they 
slew  them  among  the  smooth  stones  of  the 
brook  ;  and  they  had  better  never  have 
known  the  way  of  salvation,  than  after 
knowing  it,  be  turned  thereout.  But  Sa- 
muel Mitchel  urged  me  to  speak,  and  not 
to  spare.  Yet  1  found  great  backward- 
ness and  often  said,  when  I  went  out  of 
my  door,  '  Lord,  thou  knowest  I  had  ra- 
ther be  hanged  on  that  tree  than  go  to 


MB.    JOHN  NELvSON. 


61 


preach,  but  that  1  believe  thou  dost  require 
it  at  my  hand.'  And  many  a  time  1  have 
said,  '  except  some  one  be  converted  this 
time,  I  will  take  it  for  granted,  that  I  may 
leave  oirspeaking  in  thy  name  But  O  the 
condescension  of  the  Most  High  !  For  Jie 
60  far  bore  with  my  weakness,  that  some 
were  converted  as  sure  as  I  asked  the  to- 
ken. For  all  that,  I  acted  the  part  of  Jo- 
nah, and  fled  into  the  fields  by  a  wood  side, 
when  a  great  congregation  was  gathered 
together,  and  begged  me  to  preach  to  them. 
But  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  upon  me  : 
and  I  fell  ilat  on  my  face  on  the  ground  ; 
and  thought  that  if  ever  a  living  man  tast 
ed  the  cup  of  the  damned,  I  did  :  I  then 
cried  out,  "  Let  me  die  !  let  me  die  !  for 
why  should  1  live  to  see  the  destruction  of 
my  people  Or  wherefore  should  1  ever 
speak  in  thy  Name,  and  by  thy  Word  be- 
get children  for  the  slaughter.?"'  I  laya- 
bout au  hour  with  my  face  on  the  grass 
But  O  the  anguish  my  soul  was  in  ■  The 
euflerings  of  our  Lord  v.  cre  brought  to 
my  mind,  and  his  Apostles,  whose  cup  [ 
had  once  desired  at  the  Lord's  hand.  But 
now,  when  it  was  in  a  small  degree  put 
in  my  hand,  I  chose  rather  to  die  than  to 
•drink  it. 

I  cow  began  to  be  a.shamed  before  the 
Lord,  when  I  considered  how  wonderful- 
ly he  had  dealt  with  me  ;  so  that  the  tears 
^^csan  to  flow,  and  my  heart  was  broken 


6S 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


within  me.  Then  F  said,  "I  am  not  my 
own,  but  thine;  therefore,  thy  will  be 
daae  in  me,  on  me,  and  by  me."  In  that 
instant  the  cloud  broke,  and  the  Sun  of 
,  Righteousness  arose  on  my  soul  :  So  that 
I  cried  out,  "  Lord,  continue  with  me, 
as  thou  art  now,  and  I  am  ready  to  go  to 
hell  to  preach  to  devils,  if  thou  requirest 
it."  Then  I  came  home,  expecting  the 
people  to  be  gone  ;  but  they  were  u  aitiog 
about  the  door  of  my  house.  I  got  up 
and  preached  to  them,  and  that  night  two 
men  declared  that  God  for  Christ's  sake 
had  forgiven  all  their  sins. 

I  thought,  after  I  had  done,  if  1  had  had 
ten  pounds,  I  would  have  given  it  for  one 
hour's  conversation  with  Mr.  John  Wes- 
ley but  I  despaired  of  ever  having  an  op- 
portunity, except  1  went  to  London  on 
purpose  and  said,  I  am  not  worthy  of 
an  upright  man  to  converse  with  :  There- 
fore, I  am  encompassed  about  with  briars 
and  thorns. 

After  some  time,  I  was  told,  that  there 
were  twenty  preachers  come  to  the  Smith- 
House  ;  and  that  four  or  five  of  them  were 
clergymen  who  had  been  with  Mr.  Wes- 
ley ;  but  they  were  now  convinced  of  bis 
errors,  and  content  to  be  poor  sinners  ; 
and  hoped  I  should  see  my  error  in  a  lit- 
tle time,  and  come  to  the  Brethren  ;  for 
all  of  them,  thsy  said,  had  been  as  blind 
39  I  was,  and  as  much  bigotted  to  Mr. 


MR.  JOHH  NELSON. 


63 


Wesley's  notions.  I  told  thf.m,  that  what 
they  called  Light,  I  believed  to  be  gross 
darkness;  for  it  did  not  agree  with  what 
the  Scriptures  shewed  to  be  the  way  to 
heaven.  0:ie  of  their  cxhorters  said  to 
me,  that  there  were  several  of  the  Mora- 
vian preachers  that  could  write  as  good 
Scriptures  as  the  Bible  ;  that  the  very 
power  which  the  Apostles  hao,  did  rest  on 
the  Moravian  preachers  I  told  him,  i  did 
not  believe  a  uordofit;  I  believed  them 
to  be  a  fallen  people  ;  and  1  praj  ed  God 
that  they  might  jepent,  and  do  their  first 
works.  I  said,  **  ;  am  sorry  for  Mr.  Irg- 
ham,  for  he  never  will  do  half  so  ini>ch 
^ood  as  he  has  done  hui  t,  bv  bringi/^  them 
into  this  country,  for  they  do  not  labour 
to  convert  sinners,  but  to  turn  saints  out 
of  the  way  that  leads  to  heaven-"  But  he 
said,  it  was  1  that  was  wrong,  for  they 
were  the  most  experienced  men  in  the 
woild.  And  it  was  beiieved  by  many, 
that  Count  Zinzendorf  was  so  familiar 
with  the  Lamb,  that  many  hundreds  who 
were  now  in  hell,  would  be  saved  by  hii 
prayers. 

A  few  days  after,  they  were  to  have  a 
great  meeting  at  Gumersal  Fieid-House  ; 
and  one  came  and  told  me,  that  Mr.  Ing- 
ham desired  me  to  be  there.  According- 
ly I  went,  but  could  not  ^et  into  tlie 
house,  where  they  were  n^aaing  the  let- 
ters, nor  near  tbc  door,  for  the  multitude 


64 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


SO  I  walked  into  the  croft,  where  there 
were  about  two  hundred  people,  who  had 
gone  from  the  door,  because  they  could 
not  hear  ;  so  I  preached  to  tliem  in  the 
croft,  while  they  read  the  letters  within. 
I  think  there  were  five  or  six  preachers, 
and  four  exhorters,  and  near  a  hundred 
people,  who  were  looked  upon  as  the  chief 
of  their  Societies.  Then  Mr  Ingham 
stood  up,  and  said,  that  the  country  peo- 
ple were  surprised  to  see  so  many  of  the 
Brethren  come  together  ;  they  thought  it 
prudent  not  to  have  so  much  preaching, 
till  they  were  settled  awhile,  for  fear  it 
should  make  them  persecute  the  Brethren  ; 
"  And  I  desire  that  none  of  the  youne 
men  will  expound,  till  they  are  ordered 
by  the  Brethren  :  We  shall  meet  again 
this  day  month  ;  and  then  we  will  let  you 
know,  what  we  are  all  to  do."  Then  he 
spake  to  them  one  by  one,  and  said,  "  I 
hope  you  will  be  obedient,  and  not  ex- 
pound any  more,  till  you  have  orders." 
They  all  replied,  "  Yes  Sir."  He  then 
turned  to  mc  ;  saying,  "  John,  1  hope  yoii 
will  leave  off,  till  you  have  orders  froifl 
tho  church.  '  1  said,  "  No,  Sir,  1  will 
not  leave  oil",  I  dare  not  for  1  did  not  be- 
gin by  the  order  of  man,  nor  by  my  own 
will  ;  therefore,  I  shall  not  leave  oil  by 
your  order  ;  for  I  tell  you  plainly  1  should 
have  left  otf  without  your  bidding,  but 
that  I  believed  if  I  did,  I  should  be  damn- 


MB.  JOHN  NELSON. 


65 


ed  for  disobedience."  He  replied,  "You 
see  these  young  men  are  obedient  to  the 
elders  ;  and  they  have  been  blessed  in 
their  labours  as  well  as  you.''  I  said,  "I 
cannot  tell  how  they  have  been  blessed  ; 
but  I  think,  if  God  had  sent  them  on  his 
own  errand,  they  would  not  stop  at  your 
bidding."  Then  one  of  the  preachers  said, 
"  The  spirit  o^"  the  prophets  is  subject  to 
the  prophets  therefore  they  are  right, 
and  yon  are  wrong  ;  for  they  are  subject." 
1  replied,  "You  are  not  obedient  to  the 
prophets  of  God  tliat  were  of  old  ;  for  God 
saith  by  one  of  them,  •  1  have  set  watch- 
men upon  the  walls  of  Jerusalem,  that 
shall  not  cease  day  or  night ;'  But  you  can 
hold  your  peace  for  a  month  together,  at 
man's  bitUling."  Then  turning  to  Mr. 
Ingham,  1  said,  "  You  know  that  many 
have  been  converted  by  my  exhorting 
lately,  and  u  great  many  are  under  con- 
victions ;  what  a  sad  thing  then  would  it 
be,  to  leave  them  as  they  are  } '  He  re- 
plied, "  Our  Saviour  can  convert  souls 
without  your  preaching."  I  replied, 
"  Yes,  or  your's  either  :  and  he  can  give 
us  corn  without  plow  ing  and  sowing,  but 
he  does  not,  neither  has  he  promised  that 
he  will."  He  said.  Be  still  one  month, 
aud  then  you  will  know  more  of  your  own 
heart.''  1  replied,  "  With  one  proviso,  I 
will"  He  said,  '*  What  is  that  ?  '  I  an- 
swered, "  If  you  can  persuade  the  devil 


THE  JOURNAL  Ot 


to  be  still  for  a  month     but  if  he  goc» 
about  like  a  roaring  lion  seeking  whom 
he  may  devour,  and  God  liath  put  a  sword 
into  my  hand    I  am  determined  to  at- 
tack him,  wheresoever  1  meet  him,  and 
wheresoever  1  meet  sin,  I  meet  satan." 
Some  of  them  said,  that  their  ears  burn- 
ed on  their  heads,  to  hear  me  speak  to 
such  a  man  as  Mr.  Ingham.    I  answered, 
I  would  speak  to  a  gentleman  as  I  would 
to  a  beggar,  in  the  cause  of  God  Mr. 
Ingham  said,  "  It  must  needs  be  that  of- 
fencfs  will  come  —  but  woe  to  him  by 
whom  they  do  come."    I  replied,  "  Sir,  , 
take  care  that  your  curse  does  not  fall  on 
your  own  head."    Then  he  charged  all 
the  people,  as  they  loved  him  and  the  ; 
brethren,  that  they  should   not  let  me 
preach  in  their  houses,  or  encourage  me,  [ 
by  hearing  me  elsewhere.    I  replied,  "  I  ' 
hope  you  will  not  hinder  those  who  were 
converted  under  my  word,  from  hearing 
me  ;  for  they  are  my  own  children  "  He 
8aid,  they  would  hinder  them — for  they  ] 
were  none  of  mine,  but  our  Saviour's  chil- 
dren   I  a.nswered,  "  I  have  as  much  right 
to  call  them  my  children,  as  St  Paul  had  ■ 
to  call  the  Galatians  his— and  if  they  pe- 
rish by  being  turned  out  of  the  way  thro' 
you,   I  will  require  their  blood  at  your 
hand.*'    Then  Mr.  Clapham  said,  '•  May 
not  i  have  some  private  conversation  with 
John?"  Mr.    nscham  answered.   *•  Yes  "  , 
And  Mr.  .Clapham  said,     He  shali  be 


MR.  JOHN  MELSOK. 


67 


my  teacher  while  I  live  "  So  it  was — for 
he  died  in  the  faith  within  a  fortnight. 

When  I  gdt  home,  there  were  several 
people  at  my  house,  waiting  to  be  instruct- 
ed in  the  way  to  the  kingdom.  One  of 
them  cried  out,  "  What  is  the  matter  ? 
Are  you  not  well  ?  you  look  so  pale  !"  I 
said  "  I  have  neither  pain  nor  sickness  of 
body  ;  but  my  soul  is  disordered  within 
me,  for  they  have  bereaved  me  of  my  chil- 
dren, and  commanded  them  not  to  hear  me 
before  my  face.  O  these  treacherous  deal- 
ers have  dealt  treacherously  !  I  am  sorry 
Mr.  Ingham  should  be  atool  in  their  hands^ 
to  turn  the  simple  t>ut  of  the  way  ;  but  1 
hope  he  does  it  in  ignorance.  If  he  knows 
w  hat  he  is  doing,  he  w  ill  be  a  miserable 
man  ;  for  it  is  a  less  crime  to  take  a  child 
of  God,  and  cut  his  throat,  and  thereby 
send  him  to  heaven  at  once,  than  to  turn 
him  out  of  the  way,  and  to  destroy  both 
body  and  soul  ;  nevertheless,  let  us  pray 
for  him  and  them.''  So  we  went  to  pray- 
Hr  ;  and  when  we  arose  from  our  knees,  I 
took  the  bible,  requested  God  to  speak  to 
me  by  his  word  ;  I  opened  on  Isa.  xlix. 
19.  '*  Thy  waste  and  thy  desolate  places, 
and  the  land  of  .'hy  destruction,  shall 
now  even  be  too  narrow,  by  reason  of  the 
inhabitants  And  they  that  swallowed 
thee  up,  shall  be  far  away.  Thy  chil- 
dren, which  thou  shalt  have  after  thou  hast 
lost  the  others  bhalt  say  again  in  thine 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


eara  The  place  is  too  strait  for  me  ;  give 
place  to  me  that  I  may  dwell.  Then  shalt 
thou  say  in  thine  heart,  Who  hath  begot- 
ten me  these,  seeing  I  have  lost  my  chil- 
dren, and  am  desolate,  a  captive  removing 
to  and  fro  ;  and  who  hath  brought  up 
these  ?  Behold,  I  was  left  alone  ;  these, 
where  had  they  been  >"  At  the  reading 
of  which  words,  I  and  all  that  were  in  the 
house  were  so  affected,  that  we  burst  into 
weeping  :  And  God  gave  me  one  child, 
in  answer  to  my  prayer  that  night. 

It  was  soon  spread  abroad  that  Mr.  Ing- 
ham and  Nelson  had  differed  ;  and  many 
said,  "  We  shall  now  see  an  end  of  this  new 
religion  !  '  Several  of  them,  who  once 
professed  to  love,  me  as  their  own  lives, 
now  became  my  open  enemies,  and  labour'< 
ed  to  draw  all  fioni  me  they  could.  They 
said,  I  made  my  Bible  niy  God  ;  and 
would  take  it  up  in  a  scornful  manner, 
saying,  "  This  is  John  Nelson's  god  !  poor 
man,  he  hurls  himself  much  by  reading  in 
it,  it  would  be  better  for  him  if  he  woul(t 
let  it  alone,  and  abide  by  his  heart." — ' 
Then  I  said,  "  Woe  is  me  that  my  mother 
ever  bare  me,  to  bfi  a  man  of  vStrife  to  all 
that  are  about  me — E.  it  Lord,  I  commit, 
my  cause  to  thee  !" 

So  I  went  on  pieaching  repentance  to- 
wards God,  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  insisting,  that  those  who  believ- 
ed, should  be  oareCui  to  maintain  e^ood 


,MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


69 


works.  Eut  many  that  once  said  they 
might  bless  GoJ  they  ever  heard  nie,  now 
called  me  legal — and  told  me  to  my  i'ace, 
that  1  never  knew  the  gospel  liberty,  nor 
what  it  was  to  enjoy  the  poor  sinnei  ship. 
I  replied.  "  1  do  not  desire  to  know  it,  I 
only  want  to  know  the  perfect  and  accep- 
table Will  of  Cod,  and  power  to  do  the 
same."  But  they  cried  out,  they  liad  no- 
thing to  do,  lor  the  Lamb  Jiad  done  all  lor 
them. 

After  their  next  monthly  meeting,  one 
that  had  exhorted,  canie  and  called  me 
out  of  my  house,  saying,  he  wanted  to 
speak  with  me.  1  wen:  out — wJien  he 
told  me  the  Brethren  had  sent  him,  and 
they  had  the  same  power  as  the  Apostles 
had,  all  that  withstood  them  were  soon 
miserable.  I  answered,  "  What  do  you 
hobble  at  in  your  speech  >  If  you  came  to 
tell  me  thai,  they  have  given  me  up  into 
the  hands  of  the  devil,  speak  out,  Mi- 
chael lie  said,  they  had.  I  replied, 
"  1  hope  I  shall  pray  for  them  as  long  as  I 
live — But  do  you  go  back  and  tell  them,  I 
have  the  devil  under  my  heel — and  he  can 
never  hurt  me,  so  long  as  I  have  the 
grace  of  Cod." 

Soon  after  I  met  with  another,  that  Iiad 
got  into  the  poor  sinnership,  who  held  his 
neck  on  one  side,  and  talked  as  if  he  had 
been  bred  up  upon  the  borders  of  Bohe- 
mia :  He  said,  the  brethren  were  sorry 


70 


THE  iOVRVMt  or 


for  me  ;  nay,  he  heard  some  of  them  say, 
that  they  would  take  care  of  my  w  ife  and 
children  1  told  him,  I  would  see  my 
wife  and  children  die  on  a  dunghill,  be- 
fore i  would  sell  my  soul,  and  the  souls  of 
my  country  people. 

I  still  kept  close  to  God  by  prayer  and 
fasting,  and  waa  daily  refreshed  with  a 
sense  of  his  love  ;  he  also  opened  my 
mouth  more  and  more  to  speak  his  word, 
so  that  sinners  were  daily  converted  Sa- 
muel Mitchell  encouraged  me  much,  and 
went  with  me  almost  every  night  that  I 
went  out  of  town  ;  often  four  or  hve  miles, 
after  we  had  done  our  work,  and  we  used 
to  come  back  together  the  same  night  in 
all  sorts  of  weather. 

One  night  after  a  day  of  fasting,  I 
dreamt  that  Mr.  'ohn  and-  Mr.  Charles 
Wesley  were  both  sitting  by  my  fire  side, 
and  that  Mr.  John  Wesley  said,  1  will  stay 
but  a  few  da.vs  now,  for  I  must  go  into  the 
North,  and  return  at  such  a  time  and  stay 
with  you  a  week  The  next  day  when  f 
told  it,  one  said,  *•  If  thou  hast  dreamed 
so,  they  will  certainly  come  "  I  replied, 
"  i  no  more  expect  them  than  I  expect  the 
king  to  come.'  But  in  a  few  months  af- 
ter, they  came,  and  sat  in  the  very  pos- 
ture 1  dreamed  ;  and  Mr.  John  Wesley 
s[  oke  the  very  words 

I  was  desired  once  more  to  go  to  Go- 
mcrs-Fieid-Head,  to  speak  with  Mr.  Ing- 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


71 


ham.  When  I  got  there,  David  Taylor 
was  with  him  in  the  parlour,  and  spoke 
kindly  to  me  but  when  Mr.  Taylor  was 
gone,  he  began  to  talk  to  me  about  mak- 
ing division  among  the  brethren  I  told 
him,  1  did  not  want  to  make  division  ;  I 
wanted  the  people  to  be  saved  But  he 
said,  "  We  cannot  receive  you  or  Mr. 
Wesley  into  our  community,  till  he  pub- 
licly declares  he  has  printed  I'alse  doc- 
trine, and  you  declare  you  have  preached 
false  "  I  said,  "  Wherein  ?"  He  then 
burst  out  into  laughter  and  said,  "  'n  tell- 
ing the  people  that  they  may  live  without 
committing  sin.'  1  replied,  "  Do  you  call 
that  false  doctrine  ?  He  answered,  "  I 
do,  1  do,  and  Mr.  Wesley  has  written 
false  doctrine,  teaching  the  same  errors." 
He  quoted  some  words  ■,  then  1  said, 
"  They  are  not  Mr.  Wesley  s  but  St. 
John  a  words  :  it  is  St.  John  says,  '  Let  no 
man  deceive  you,  he  thatdoeth  righteous- 
ness, is  righteous,  and  he  that  committeth 
sin,  ia  of  the  devil.'  So  if  St  John  be 
right,  every  one  that  preacheth  contrary 
to  what  Mr.  Wesley  has  written  here,  and 
what  1  have  preached,  is  a  deceiver  and 
betrayer  of  soyls.  If  that  be  your  opi- 
nion, said  Mr  Ingham,  we  cannot  re- 
ceive you  into  pur  church."  I  replied, 
"  1  do  not  want  to  be  one  of  you  ;  for  f 
am  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England." 
He  JMWwercd,    'Jht  Church  of  England 


?3 


♦  HB  .TOURNAf.  OF 


is  no  Church  ;  we  arfc  the  Church."  I 
said,  "  We  !  who  do  you  mean  ? '  He  re- 
plied, "  I  and  the  Moravian  brethren." 
I  said,  "  I  have  no  desire  toJiavc  any  fel- 
lowship  with  you  or  them  ;  it  has  been 
better  lor  my  own  soul,  since  I  have  been 
wholly  separated  from  you,  and  God  has 
blessed  my  labours  more,  since  I  was  told 
they  had  delivered  me  up  to  satan,  than 
ever  before  ;  therefore  I  think  it  is  better 
to  have  their  curse,  tiian  to  have  commu- 
nion with  them."  He  replied,  "  If  you 
think  so,  1  have  no  more  to  say  to  you.', 
And  then  turned  his  back  on  me. 

When  I  went  home,  I  met  with  one 
that  had  got  into  the  liberty — and  he  tx)\d 
me  that  the  devil  had  sent  me  into  York- 
shire, to  hinder  the  brethren  from  having 
the  country  to  themselves.  I  answered, 
"  If  satan  sent  me,  he  is  divided  against 
himself,  for  you  know  by  my  preaching, 
many  are  turned  that  were  grossly  wick- 
ed, to  live  a  righteous  life  '  He  said, 
"  No  men  should  be  damned  but  for  their 
own  unrighteousness,"  and  wlien  I  men- 
tioned an}'  Scripture,  he  laughed  me  to 
scorn,  saying,  "  You  will  never  be  happy 
tillj'ou  leave  off  these  Scripture-notions, 
and  come  to  your  own  heart,  and  be  a  poor 
sinner. 

Now  atrial  came  upon  me  from  another 
quarter — some  of  tliem  came  to  my  house, 
when  I  was  from  home,  and  talked  with 


KR.   JOW-H  NELSON. 


75 


ny  wife,  stirring  her  up  against *me,  so 
that  she  was  tempted  to  go  to  thetn,  and 
leave  me — and  the  temptation  was  so 
strong,  that  she  got  out  of  bed  three  times 
to  go  to  them  ;  nay,  the  more  1  reasoned 
with  her  from  Scripture,  in  ever  so  lov- 
ing a  manner,  the  more  she  was  set"  a- 
gainst  me  ;  then  I  liad  none  but  my  old 
refuge,  to  get  to  God  by  prayer,  and  fast- 
ing ;  and  the  Lord  took  the  mutter  into  his 
own  hand,  and  shewed  her,  wherein  she 
had  been  deceived,  and  made  her  a  staff" 
in  my  haud,  and  a  support  to  my  soul  again. 

About  this  time  one  of  my  neighbours, 
that  used  to  hear  me  preach,  was  going  to 
London,  and  said,  '  I  should  be  glad  to  see 
Mr.  John  Wesley,  whom  you  call  your  fa- 
ther in  the  gospel.'  I  replied,  *  If  yea 
will  carry  a  few  lines  to  him  from  me,  you 
may  see  and  hear  him  too.'  In  t^is  letter 
1  desired  Mr.  Wesley  to  write  to  me  ;  and 
as  he  was  my  father  in  the  gospel,  to  give 
me  some  instructions  how  to  proceed,  in 
the  work  that  God  had  begun  by  such  an 
unpolished  tool  as  me.  When  he  got  to 
'■  London,  he  wrote  to  me,  that  he  had  seen 
I  Mr.  Wesley  and  given  iiim  the  letter,  who 
I  read  it,  and  asked  him  some  questions 
about  me,  and  said,  'Do  you  write  by  this 
niglit's  post,  and  tell  him  I  shall  beat  his 
house  on  Tuesday  next,  if  God  perniit." 
I  got  the  letter  on  Sunday,  and  was  melted 
into  tears  before  the  Lord. 

G 


THE    JOURNAL  OF 


That  day  the  Lord  blessed  our  soivVs 
much,  while  we  were  praying  th:it  lie 
would-condiict  his  servant  in  safety  to  us, 
and  bless  liis  coming  amongst  us — but  lie 
was  detained  on  the  road,  so  that  it  was 
Wednesday  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  fore- 
noon when  he  arrived  ut  Birstal.  He  sent 
for  me  to  the  inn,  from  whence  I  conduct- 
ed him  to  my  house,  and  he  sat  down 
by  my  fire-side,  in  the  very  posture  1  had 
dreamed  about  four  months  before,  and 
spoke  the  same  words  1  dreamed  he  spoke. 

Before  he  went  to  Newcastle,  large  com- 

Eanies  of  those  that  had  left  me,  came  to 
ear  him — several  of  whom  said  they  ne- 
ver heard  such  a  sermon  in  their  lives,  nor 
ever  felt  so  much  of  the  power  of  God  un- 
der any  man's  preaching. 

Some  said,  when  Mr.  Ingham  came 
first,  he  was  often  telling  of  this  Mr.  Wes- 
ley, saying,  he  believed  lie  never  talked 
with  him  but  it  was  a  blessing  to  his  sou], 
and  extolled  him  above  any  man  that  ever 
tlipy  heard  him  talk  ol^and  now  they 
thought  he  exceeded  all  that  Mr.  Ingham 
liad  said  about  him — but  they  were  great- 
ly surprized,  that  Mr  Ingham  should  go 
through  Birstal,  and  not  call  to  see  Mr., 
Wesley. 

When  Mr.  Wesley  came  from  Newcas- 
tie,  their  minds  were  changed — for  they 
did  not  come  to  bear  him.  I  asked  seve- 
ral of  them  the  reason — and  they  told  me 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON, 


75 


Mr.  Ingham  declared  he  preached  false 
doctrine,  and  it  was  not  sale  to  hear  him. 

However  he  did  not  preach  in  vain,  I'or 
God  hJessed  his  word,  and  his  coming  was 
a  great  ble^oing  to  iny  soul.  1  said  to  him 
'  Sir,  you  may  inak.e  usa  of  Jacob's  words, 
'  The  children  thou  hast  begotten  in  Egypt 
before  are  mine  for  1  freely  deliver 
them  to  your  care.'  After  he  had  spent 
about  a  week,  he  left  me — and  now  they 
that  stayed  with  me  were  confirmed  in  the 
truth  they  had  received  ;  and  many  ivere 
convinced  of  the  necessity  of  being  born 
again,  so  that  greater  multitudes  than 
ever  came  to  hear,  and  several  were  con- 
rerted. 

One  Saturday  night,  there  came  a  num- 
ber of  people  that  were  halting  between 
the  Germans  and  me — and  as  i  preached 
to  them,  my  mouth  was  almost  stopped, 
and  all  the  time  it  appeared  to  jne  as  if  I 
was  ploughing  upon  a  rock.  Nevertheless, 
when  I  had  done,  and  got  to  the  fire-side, 
the  pepple  did  not  offer  to  go  away,  but 
stood "^s  beggars  that  wanted  a  morsel  of 
bread,  i  then  took  up  the  Bible,  and  open- 
ed on  the  Prophecy  of  Isaiah,  where  it 
saith,  '  1  have  blotted  out  thy  transgres- 
sions as  a  cloud,  and  thy  sins  as  a  thick 
cloud  :  Return  unto  me,  for  I  have  re- 
deemed thee/  And  I  said,  '  Hear  ye  the 
word  of  the  Lord  !'  So  1  read  these  words 
to  them  as  I  stood,  and  began  to  explain 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


ihcm,  wlien  the  power  of  God  came  as  a 
.'Tiighty  wind,  and  many  cried  out,  '  Lord, 
save,  or  we  perish'.  I  tell  upon  my  knees, 
ajid  called  upon  God  to  heal  the  bones  thkt 

V  ere  broken,  and  to  shew  mei  cy  to  the 
poor  and  needy — And  he  heard  our  cry, 
f-.o  that  seven  testified  that  God  for  Christ's 
sake  had  blotted  out  their  sins  that  night 
and  most  of  them  told  ine,  they  purposed 
only  to  hear  me  that  time,  and  to  have 
gone  to  the  Germans  the  next  day. 

Now  the  people  from  every  quarter 
nocked  to  Birstal  on  the  Sabbath,  but  as 
yet  there  came  only  three  from  Lecdsj 
Mary  Shent,  and  two  other  women. 

It  was  about  May  when  Mr.  John  Wes- 
ley came  into  Yorkshire,  and  towards 
JMichaelrnas  that  Mr.  Charles  Wesley  and 
Mr.  Charles  Graves  came.  They  stayed 
a  few  days,  then  went  on  to  Newcastle, 
with  an  intent  to  return  in  a  fortnight ;  but 
the  Lord  opened  such  a  door  in  that  place 
that  Mr.  W  esley  stayed  some  time  longer. 
Mr.  Graves  came  at  the  time  appointed, 
and  the  Lord  blessed  his  coming  to  seve- 
ral souls.  I  remember  one  night  at  Arm- 
ley,  he  preached,  and  when  he  had  done, 
I  gave  an  exhortation,  and  the  Lord  ap- 
plied the  virtue  of  his  precious  blood  to 
many  souls  that  night,  and  for  a  whole 

V  eek  together,  there  were  some  that  felt 
the  atoning  blood  of  Jesus  Christ. 


MB.    JOHN  NELSON. 


When.  Mr.  Charles  We&ley  oame  back 
fioin  Newcastle,  the  Lord  was  with  biiii 
ill  such  a  manner,  that  the  pillars  of  hell 
seemed  to  tremble,  many  tbut  were  fa- 
mous for  supporting  the  devil  s  kingdom, 
fell  to  the  ground,  while  he  was  preach- 
ing, as  if  they  bad  been  tliunder-struck. 
One  day  he  had  preached  four  times,  and 
one  that  had  been  amongst  the  people  ail 
the  day,  said  at  nrglit,  twenty-two  had 
received  iorgiveness  of  their  sins  that 
day. 

1  think,  from  the  time  of  Mr.  Charles 
Wesley  and  Mr.  Graves's  first  coming, 
and  their  leaving  Yorkshire,  after  their 
return  to  Newcastle,  which  was  about  a 
month,  there  were  added  to  the  true  be- 
lievers near  four-score.  Then  they  began 
to  cry  out,  '  The  place  i.^  too  strait  lor  us, 
Yvc  should  have  a  greater  house  !'  So  that 
tlie  words  of  Isaiah  which  J  opened  on, 
when  the  Germans  bereaved  me  of  my  for- 
mer children,  were  fulfilled. 

About  this  time  William  Shent  was 
converted— 'and  there  began  to  be  an  up- 
roar in  Leeds,  about  his  saying  he  knew 
his  sins  forgiven.  Some,  however,  believ- 
ed his  report,  and  had  a  desire  to  hear  lor 
tiiiemselves— neither  could  he  be  content 
to  eat  his  morsel  alone,  for  his  heart  pant- 
ed for  the  salvation  of  all  his  neighbours. 

The  Christmas  following  he  desired  me 
to  go  and  preach  at  Leeds — but  when  I 
G  S 


78 


The  journal  of 


gave  notice  of  it  to  the  Society,  they  ad- 
A  ised  me  not  to  go  till  we  had  kept  a  day 
ol'  fasting  and  prayer.  So  we  humbled 
ourselves  before  the  Lord  on  the  Friday, 
^nd  on  Sunday  night  I  went  to  Leeds, 
several  of  the  brethren  accompanying  me. 
As  we  were  going  over  the  bridge,  we 
met  two  men,  who  said  to  me,  '  If  you  at- 
tempt to  preach  in  Leeds,  you  must  not  ex- 
pect to  come  out  again  alive — for  there  is 
a  company  of  men  who  swear  they  will  kill 
you.'  1  answered,  '  They  must  ask  my' 
i'ather's  leave,  for  if  he  hav  e  any  more 
work  for  me  to  do,  all  the  men  in  the  town 
eannot  kill  me  till  I  have  done  it. 

When  we  got  to  brother  Shent's,  he  had 
provided  a  large  empty  house  to  preach 
in,  and  it  was  well  filled  with  people. — 
As  soon  as  1  got  upon  the  stairs,  1  felt  an 
awful  sense  of  God  rest  upon  me,  and  the 
people  behaved  as  people  that  feared  God, 
and  received  the  word  v/ith  meekness. 

Now  Armley  Society  became  a  nurs- 
ing mother  to  the  new  born  souls  at  Leeds  ; 
for  there  were  several  steady  souls  at 
Armley,  who  had  stood  from  the  begin- 
ning without  wavering,  and  1  trust  we 
shall  meet  together  in  heaven. 

Some  time  after  we  had  begun  ab 
Leeds,  Mr.  John  Bennet,  from  Chinley, 
in  Derbyshire,  came  to  our  town,  and 
sent  for  me  to  the  inn  :  1  did  not  know  him. 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


7Q 


but  by  his  dress  1  took  him  to  be  a  preach- 
er. 1  said,  '  I  do  not  know  you,  pray  what 
is  your  name  He  told  me.  I  asked  him 
if  he  came  from  Mr.  Wesley.'  He  said, 
'  No,  he  was  not  in  connexion  with  him  ; 
he  was  in  fellowship  with  the  Moravian 
brethren,  but  he  had  had  a  great  opinion 
of  Mr.  Wesley  for  some  time,  till  lie  saw 
a  Utile  pamphlet  which  Mr.  Wesley  had 
lately  published,  which  he  stiles.  The 
Character  of  a  Methodist,  and  it  turned 
his  mind.'  I  asked,  'Sir,  what  do  you 
find  wrong  there  He  replied,  '  There  is 
too  much  perfection  in  it  for  me.'  I  an- 
sAvered,  'Then  you  think  a  less  degree  of 
lioliness  will  fit  you  for  heaven,  than  what 
is  mentioned  there :  pray  what  are  the 
words  you  stumble  at  ?'  On  his  telling  me, 
1  said,  '  They  are  the  words  of  St.  John. 
But  he  said,  '  We  know  by  experience 
that  there  is  no  such  thing  to  be  attained 
in  this  life.'  1  replied,  '  If  your  experi- 
ence do  not  answer  to  what  St.  Paul  and 
St.  John  speak,  I  shall  not 'regard  it;' 
and  when  I  mentioned  some  passages  of 
Scripture,  he  did  not  believe  that  what  I 
said  was  Scripture.  1  pulled  out  my  bi- 
ble, and  shewed  him  the  words  ;  and 
when  he  had  read  them,  his  countenance 
changed,  and  he  caviled  no  more. 

When  we  met  again,  we  seemed  to  be 
of  one  heart  and  judgment,  for  God  re- 
vealed his  will  to  him  soon  after  he  had 


80 


THE   JOt'RNAL  0/ 


parted  with  mc,  and  made  him  an  iiistru- 
ment  to  turn  many  to  righteousness,  and 
to  bring  me  and  my  brethren  to  preacli 
in  Lancashire,  Cheshire,  and  Derbyshire. 

The  first  time  I  went,  he  met  me  at 
Marsden,  to  conduct  n?e  into  Cheshire  i 
but  as  1  went  over  a  great  Common,  a 
little  behind  Huddersfield,  a  dog  leaped 
out  of  the  heath,  and  came  and  smelled  at 
my  leg,  and  walked  by  my  side  for  near 
a  mile,  he  then  went  to  the  houses  that 
%vere  a  little  out  of  the  way,  and  bit  se- 
veral dogs,  and  came  running  after  me 
again,  so  walked  by  my  side  till  he  saw 
another  house,  where  he  fought  'i'ith  a 
dog  ;  then  followed  me  again.  Thus  he 
went  on  for  about  five  miles,  and  went 
with  me  into  the  inn  at  Marsden,  when 
ho  sat  down  by  my  side.  There  were  se- 
veral men  in  the  house,  whom  I  asked,  it' 
any  of  th«m  knew  whose  dog  that  was.' 
but  none  of  them  could  tell.  1  said,  I 
think  he  is  mad  ;  but  they  laughed  me  to 
scorn.  Soon  after  another  dog  came  in, 
and  he  went  and  bit  him  directly,  and 
ran  out  and  bit  four  more,  and  then  the 
men  pursued  and  killed  him.  When  \ 
saw,  that  God  had  ke|3t  me  in  such  im- 
minent danger,  1  was  greatly  humbled 
before  him. 

As  Mr.  Bennet  and  I  went  over  to 
Stanedge,  we  met  David  Taylor,  who 
had  got  SO  much  into  the  poor  sinnership^ 


Mir.  JOIIM  NELSON.  hi 

tJiat  he  would  scarcely  speak  to  ine  ;  ha 
called  iMr.  Bennet  to  a  distance,  and  .said, 
he  was  sorry  that  he  was  going  to  take 
me  into  Derbyshire,  for  1  w  as  so  full  of 
law  and  reason,  that  I  should  do  a  great 
deal  of  hurk  wherever  I  preached. 

I  preached  twice  that  afternoon,  once 
at  Hopkin-Pit,  in  Lancashire,  and  tho 
other  time  at  Woodly,  in  Cheshire.  It 
was  given  out,  unknov/n  to  me.  to  preacJi 
at  .Manchester-Cross  on  the  Sunday  after- 
noon. About  ten  people  went  with  me 
from  Mr.  Lackwood's  to  Manchester. 
AVhen  we  arrived  there,  i  do  not  know- 
but  there  might  be  two  thousand  people 
gathered  together  at  the  Cros9  ;  and  most 
of  them  behaved  well.  But  when  I  was 
in  the  middle  of  my  discourse,  one  at  the 
outside  of  the  congregation  threw  a  stone 
which  cut  me  on  the  head;  hou'ever, 
that  made  the  people  give  greater  atten- 
tion, especially  when  they  saw  the  blood 
run  down  my  face  ;  so  that  all  was  quiet 
till  I  had  done,  and  was  singing  a  hymn. 
Then  the  Constable  and  his  deputy  came 
and  seized  me  and  Mr  Bennet,  and  said, 
'  You  must  go  before  the  Justice.'  I  ask- 
ed, '  By  whaf  order  >'  He  held  up  his 
staff,  saving,  that  was  his  warrant,  and 
he  would  make  me  go.  I  answered,  '  I 
will  not  resist,  for  if  I  liave  done  auy 
thing  contrary  to  tiie  law,  I  ought  to  sui- 
ftr  by  the  law.'    lie  said,  1  should  sufihv 


82  THE   JOURNAL  OF 

for  wJiat  I  had  done  ;  then  he  began  to 
strike  the  people  that  crowded  about  us. 
As  soon  as  he  and  his  deputy  could  get 
through  the  multitude,  they  out-ran  us; 
when  I  called  and  said,  '  Stay,  Gentle- 
men, for  we  cannot  get  through  the  peo- 
ple as  last  as  you.'  But  the  people  crowd- 
ed about  us  in  such  a  manner,  that  we 
saw  the  Constable  no  more.  Afterwards 
•we  rode  to  Jonathan  Holmes's.  That 
night  we  had  a  blessed  meeting  ;  and  the 
Lord  was  much  with  us  all  the  time  I 
stayed  in  those  parts. 

Soon  after  Mr.  John  Wesley  came  into 
Yorkshire  again  ;  and  the  Lord  blessed 
his  coming  to  many  souls.  When  he  set 
out  for  Newcastle,  he  desired  me  to  go  to 
Grimsby,  in  Lincolnshire,  and  to  spend 
a  few  days  there,  among  some  people  that 
had  once  run  well,  but  were  turned  out 
of  the  way,  by  one  <hat  had  come  down 
from  London,  who  had  got  into  the  poor 
sinnership,  and  was  made  free  from  the 
righteous  law  of  God,  and  from  all  ordi- 
nances and  good  work?.  He  brought  ma- 
ny of  them  into  his  own  liberty,  so  that 
they  sold  their  prayer  books,  left  oft' read- 
ing and  pnaying,  and  followed  the  motions 
of  their  own  minds,  which  they  called 
the  lamb  in  their  hearts:  but  one  or  two 
remained  under  the  law,  as  they  called  it, 
that  is,  they  still  continued  to  read  the 
Bible,  and  durst  not  leave  off  prater,  uor 


MR.   JOHN    NEI^SON.  8-3 

any  other  ordinance  that  Christ  had  a[  - 
pointed.  These  came  to  Epn  orth  to  seeic 
the  pure  gospel  ;  and  when  tliey  Jieard 
Mr.  Wesley,  they  said,  his  word  was  as 
sweet  wine  to  a  thirsty  soul. 

1  set  out  with  a  great  sense  of  my  own 
weakness,  and  was  ready  to  turn  back, 
then  I  opened  my  bible,  where  these 
wffrds  were  written,  '  1  was  aiVaid,  and 
went  and  hid  my  talent  in  the  ground.'  I 
cried  out,  '  Lord,  give  me  strength  and 
understanding  for  the  work,  if  tbou  hast 
called  me  to  it.'  I  opened  my  book  again, 
on  Isaiah  xiv,  1.  'The  Lord  will  have 
mercy  on  Jacob,  and  will  yet  choose  Isra- 
el, and  set  them  in  their  own  land,  and 
the  strangers  shall  be  joined  with  them.' 
That  night  1  came  to  Epworth,  and 
preached  to  a  large  congregation. 

Kext  morning,  1  and  a  man  that  be- 
longed to  Grimsby,  and  a  boy  about  twelve 
years  of  age,  set  out  on  foot  for  Grimsby, 
but  nigiit  came  upon  us  when  ue  Avere 
five  miles  short  of  it,  and  there  being  no 
public  liouse  near,  we  went  to  several 
farm  houses  to  ask  for  lodging,  but 
could  get  none.  Then  we  went  to  a  poor 
house,  where  I  prevailed  with  the  people 
to  let  the  boy  lie  with  two  of  their  own 
boys  ;  and  1  said  to  the  mail,  '  Let  us  go 
and  seek  a  bed  somewhere  else,  or  a  sta- 
ble to  lie  in.  As  we  went  on  in  the  dark, 
M'e  saw  a  light  at  a  small  distance,  and 


THE  JOURKAJ.  0? 


we  went  over  a  field  to  it.  I  knocked  at 
the  door,  and  tlicy  1)id  us  come  in  ;  there 
Tverc  foiir  men,  thiTe  women,  and  two 
boys,  sUtitig  by  the  fire.  As  soon  as  I 
entered,  I  said,  '  Peace  be  to  this  house  •,' 
at  which  words  the  people  started  up  as 
if  I  had  thrown  fire  at  them.  I  Siiid, 
'  We  are  two  way  faring  men,  and  if  you 
iv  iil  entertain  us  for  a  night,  we  will  sa- 
tisfy you.  Thej^  got  us  a  good  supper, 
and  made  us  a  good  bed.  I  talked  to 
them  about  the  way  of  salvation,  and 
went  to  prayer  with  them,  and  they  were 
so  affected,  that  the  master  and  the  mis- 
tress talked  to  me  two  hours  after  we 
were  'in  bed.  The  next  morning  after 
breakfast,  1  went  to  pay  the  woman,  but 
she  said  her  husband  charged  her  to  take 
nothing,  but  on  the  contrary,  to  give  us 
Home  money  to  support  us  on  the  road  -. 
but  I  replied,  '  Not  one  farthing  will  we 
have,  and  if  you  will  not  take  our  money, 
I  pray  God  reward  you  with  everlasting 
consolation.' 

We  then  went  where  we  had  left  the 
koy,  and  paid  the  people  for  him,  and 
set  out  for  Grimsby,  which  we  reached 
by  ten  o'clock.  The  people  soon  heard 
that  I  was  come,  and  flocked  to  me  di- 
rectly, when  I  prayed  with  them,  and  be- 
gan to  exhort,  but  many  of  them  despised 
my  words,  saying,  I  was  too  legal  for 
Ihem.    1  theu  took  up  my  BiblCj  and  said. 


«B.  JOHN  NEI.60N. 


Si 


'  Hear  yc  the  word  of  the  Lord  !'  So  I 
read  two  or  three  verses,  and  bid  thent 
try  themselves  by  that  standard  ;  then  I 
read  in  another  place,  and  said,  'Il'you 
tvill  compare  your  conscieiice  with  these 
Scriptures,  you  may  see  what  state  your 
souls  are  in/  One  woman  turned  pale 
and  began  to  tremble,  saying,  '  I  clearly 
see  we  are  deluded,  and  that  what  we  call- 
ed the  lamb  iir  our  hearts,  is  nothing  but 
the  devil.'  Then  she  cried  out,  '  Alas  '. 
Alas  !  what  must  we  do  ?'  We  went  to 
prayer  again,  and  Cod  made  the  king- 
dom of  satan  to  shake  once  more  lu  that 
place. 

The  second  night,  a  schoolmaster  sent 
mc  word  that  he  would  give  me  leave  to 
preach  in  his  school,  which  would  hold 
several  hundreds  of  people.  But  those 
that  had  fallen  into  the  poor  sinnership, 
told  me,  if  1  did,  they  durst  not  go  to 
hear  nie,  for  they  should  be  mobbed,  and 
I  should  be  killed.  I  said,  '  As  the  ^ea- 
tleman  has  made  me  the  ciTer,  1  wilJac- 
cept  it,  and  by  the  grace  of  God  will 
yreach,  if  there  were  as  many  devils  in 
jt  as  there  are  tiles  on  it.'  Accordingly 
I  went,  and  it  was  well  filled  from  side  to 
side,  and  the  people  behaved  well.  I 
found  great  liberty  in  speaking,  and  when 
I  had  done,  several  cried  out,  '  This 
the  way  of  salvation.' 

H 


Sd  THE  JOURNAL  OP  I 

Wheu  I  came  back  to  brother  Blow's,  I 
those    that     had   been   shorn    of  their  i 
streiiglh,  conlessed  their  learfulness,  and  : 
said,  '  VVhile  we  continued  in  the  spirit  | 
in  which  we  were  converted,  we  were  as  j 
bold  as  lions.    O,  what  shall  we  do  to  re- 
cover our  strength  ?'  I  tcid  them  to  hum-  I 
ble   themselves   before  the   Lord  with 
prater  and  fasting,  and  he  would  snatch  \ 
them  out  of  the  snare  of  the  devil,  and 
give  them  back  their  first  love. 

I  preached  again  the  next  morning,  and 
set  out  forEpworth.    In  my  v/ay  1  stopt  ' 
at  Ferry,  where!  preached  at  four  in  the  ' 
ai'terno.on,  and  got  into  Epworth  by  sevea  ' 
that  evening.  ■ 

When  I  cam.e  there,  such  a  large  com- 
pany were  gathered  together,  that  f  could  i 
not  get  into  the'  Jiouse,  nor  yet  one  third  ' 
of  the  people,  though  it  was  dark  and 
snowed  -,  however,  1  desired  them  to  hand 
me  out  a  chair,  eo  I  stood  up  in  the  snow, 
'  and  preached,  and  they  behaved  as  well 
as  ever  1  knew  a  congregation  in  my  life  ; 
and  it  appejtred  that  Cod  blessed  his  word 
to  many  bouIs  that  night. 

When  I  returned  home,  I  found  God 
had  opened  the  mouth  of  Jonathan  Kenves, 
and  blessed  his  word  to  numbers  about 
Bir.stai  ;  and  wc  laboured  together  for 
some  time,  till  1  returned  into  Mr.  Ben- 
net's  circuit. 


MR.   JOHN    NELSON.  87 

I  went  into  tlie  Peak  to  preach  at  Mo- 
uyash,  wi'ieii  a  Ciergvmau,  willi  a  great 
company  of  men  that  worked  in  the  leait- 
groves,  all  being  in  liquor,  came  in  just 
as  I  began  to  give  ont  the  hymn  :  As 
soon  as  we  began  to  sing,  he  began  to  Jial- 
loo  and  shout,  as  ii"  he  were  hunting  w  ith 
a  pack  ol' hounds,  and  so  continued  aU  the 
time  we  sang.  When  1  began  to  pray, 
he  attempted''  to  overturn  the  rhair  that 
1  stood  on.  but  he  could  not,  although  he 
struck  so  violently  with  his  foot,  that  he 
broke  oae  of  the  arms  of  the  chair  quite 
oif.  When  I  begaa  to  preach,  he  called 
on  his  companions  to  pull  me  down  ;  but 
they  replied,  "No,  Sir,  the  man  says 
notJiing  but  the  truth  :  Pray,  hold  your 
peace,  aad  let  us  hear  what  he  has  to 
say.'  He  then  came  to  me  himself,  tonk 
me  by  the  cuilar  of  my  shirt,  and  pulled 
me  down  ;  then  he  tore  down  my  coat 
cutis,  and  attempted  to  tear  it  down  the 
back;  then  took  mc  by  the  collar 
shook  me.  I  said,  '  Sir,  you  and  I  must 
shortly  appear  at  the  bar  of  God,  to  give 
an  account  of  this  night's  work  He  re- 
plies", '  '  Vhat  !  must  you  and  I  appear 
before  (Ind's  bar  together.'  I  said,  '  As 
sure  as  we  look  one  another  in  the  face 
now  '  He  let  go  my  throat,  took  my  bi- 
ble out  of  my  hand,  and  turning  it  over 
and  over,  said,  '  It  is  a  rigiit  Bible;  and 
if  you  preach  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  let  me 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


Ijear  you  preach  from  this  text?'  which 
was,  '  Wisdom  strengtheneth  the  wise, 
more  than  ten  mighty  men  in  the  city  I 
got  up  and  began  to  preach  from  this 
text,  and  when  any  ofFered  to  make  a 
ijoise,  the  grovei  s  said,  *  Hold  your  peace, 
or  we  will  make  you,  and  let  us  hear 
what  he  will  make  of  the  parson's  text.' 
As  I  went  on,  the  parson  said,  '  That  is 
right,  that  is  true/  After  awhile  he  look- 
ed round,  and  saw  many  in  tears;  then 
Jie  looked  at  me,  and  went  away,  leav- 
ing me  to  finish  my  discourse  in  peace. 
All  the  rest  of  the  Circuit  I  had  peace- 
ahle  meetings  ;  and  the  Lord  kept  still 
adding  to  the  number  of  his  children. 

At  my  return  home,  I  began  to  preach 
in  the  open  street,  at  brother  Shent's 
door,  in  Leeds,  and  great  companies 
ilocked  to  hear  mc.  The  first  time  1 
stood  up  in  the  street,  I  was  struck  on 
the  head  with  an  egg  and  two  potatoes, 
but  that  neither  hindered  me  from  speak- 
ing, nor  them  from  hearing.  I  heard  that 
several  serious  people,  as  soon  as  I  had 
done,  wfent  to  an  old  Clergyman,  to  ask 
his  advice  about  the  doctrine  I  had 
preached,  and  told  him  as  much  of  my 
sermon  as  they  could  :  He  answered,  he 
hoped  no  one  had  disturbed  me  from 
preaching  that  doctrine;  they  told  him 
some  had  thrown  potatoes  at  me,  and 
spoiled  my  wig  and  coat  with  a  rottea 


MR.   JOHN  KELsO 


6:' 


egg  ;  lie  said,  lie  would  rather  lose  lii.s 
arm,  than  throw  at  any  man  for  preach- 
ing such  doctrine  :  for  that  was  the  mar- 
row of  the  gospel.  Many  lost  their  pre- 
judice by  his  word,  and  embraced  the 
truth  with  joy  ;  so  that  I  preached  in  the 
streets  at  Leeds,  every  other  Sunday 
morning,  with  very  little  disturbance. 

After  some  time  I  went  into  Lincoln- 
shire again  ;  and  the  congregation  was  so 
large  at  Grimsby,  that  1  was  obliged  to 
stand  upon  a  table  at  brother  B!ow^  back 
door  for  several  days  together.  As  I  wa.s 
preaching,  the  Minister  and  three  men 
came  to  play  at  quoits,  as  near  the  peo- 
ple as  tliey  could  get  ;  but  with  all  their 
playing  and  shouting  they  could  not  draw 
any  one  from  hearing. 

Some  friends  from  Tetney  and  Clear- 
thorps  prevailed  with  me  to  go  to  a  shep- 
herd's house  near  the  sea  coast.  There 
was  a  large  company  gathered  together  in 
that  desart,  and  1  opened  my  book,  on 
(]al.  1,3.'  Grace  be  unto  you,  and  peace 
from  God  the  Father,  and  t'rom  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  gave  himself  fv,r  our 
sins,  that  be  might  deliver  us  from  this 
Jjresent  evil  world,  according  to  the  will 
of  Crod  and  our  Fatheir.'  1  felt  much  of 
the  Lord's  presence,  atid  the  power  of 
God  was  so  great  among  us,  that  the  peo- 
ple fell  flat  on  their  faces,  or  kneeled 
down  on  their  knees,  so  that  there  wa.« 
H  £ 


00 


The  JOUIiNAL  OF 


riot  one  left  standing,  and  their  cry  was 
Ko  great,  that  my  voice  could  not t  be 
heard  ;  then  I  fell  on  my  knees  and  call- 
ed upon  the  Lord  to  hta!  the  bones  that 
were  broken,  and  I  l^eiieve  many  will 
praise  God  for  that  meeting  to  all  eterui- 

ty. 

On  my  return  to  Epwortli,  I  was  desir- 
ed to  go  by  Hainton,  and  several  from 
Grimsby  went  with  me.  When  we  got 
tlicrc,  William  Fenwick  told  me,  there 
was  a  company  of  men  at  the  bowling 
green,  Arho  had  made  themselves  almo&t 
drunk,  on  purpose  to  kill  me:  1  answer- 
ed, that  God  was  my  dei'ence,  and  I  be- 
lieved he  would  deliver  me  from  them 
all.  As  soon  as  they  heard  I  was  come, 
they  all  left  the  bowls,  and  came  to  Wil- 
liam Fcnwirk's,  many  of  them  with  sticks 
about  two  feet  long,  and  as  thick  as  a 
man's  wrist  ;  some  of  them  began  to  siDg 
a  psalm,  and  others  to  curse  and  swear; 
but  1  reproved  them,  and  they  had  no 
power  io  meddle  with  me.  At  the  ap- 
j)ointed  hour  I  went  into  the  street,  and 
spoke  to  them  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
and  God  put  a  bridle  in  the  jaws  of  the 
■wicked,  so  that  they  stood  patiently  to 
hear,  while  I  was  reasoning  with  them 
about  the  necessity  of  being  made  holy 
here,  that  we  may  not  be  damned  eter- 
nally. A  lusty,  red  faced  gentlewoman 
exclaimed  aloud,  '  I  am  a  Papist,  and  be- 


MS,  .10HN  NELSON. 


91 


lieve  I  shall  ije  cleansed  in  purgatory/ 
When  I  had  done,  1  said,  '  T  appeal  to  all 
your  consciences,  that  1  have  not  spoken 
Diy  own  words,  but  the  words  of  the 
Lord.'  A  gentleman  answered,  '  We  al- 
low all  you  say  is  true  ;  yet  you  deserve 
to  be  set  in  the  stocks  for  delivering  it  in 
the  street.' 

As  I  went  into  the  house,  one  hit  me 
with  an  egg  on  my  head,  and  the  peo[jle 
crowded  so  fast  into  the  house  th;it  i 
could  scarcely  turn  niyKcIf ;  at  I;:st  i  gut  to 
sit  upon  a  dresser,  and  spoke  to  them  for 
an  hour,  and  Cod  began  to  work  on  seve- 
ral of  them  ;  but  as  soon  as  they  brgan 
to  tremble,  and  cry  out,  '  Lord  save,  or 
we  perish,'  others  made  all  the  haste  ibc.y 
could  to  get  out  of  the  house.  When  I 
got  to  Epworth,  I  found  the  j)cop!e  much 
ill  earnest,  and  niy  own  soul  was  greatly 
blessed  in  speaking  to  them. 

After  I  had  laboured  in  Yorkshire  a 
while  longer,  Mr.  John  Wesley  sent  (or 
me  to  London.  But  by  this  time  I  j!a.d 
almost  worn  out  my  clothes,  and  did  not 
know  where  the  next  should  come  from. 
My  wife  said,  I  was  not  fit  to  go  any 
where  as  I  was.  I  answered,  '  1  have 
worn  them  out  in  the  Lord's  work,  and 
he  will  not  let  me  want  long.'  Two  days 
after,  a  Tradesman  in  our  parish,  that 
did  not  belong  to  our  Society,  came  to  m.y 
house,  and  brought  me  a  piece  of  blue 


03 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


doth  for  a  coat,  and  a  piece  of  black 
cloth  for  a  waistcoat  and  breeches  ;  so  i 
see  the  Lord  is  mindful  of  theni  that  trust 
in  him. 

As  soon  as  I  well  could,  I  set  out  fot 
London  on  foot,  but  one  of  my  ncigh- 
Imurs  was  going,  and  he  took  my  place, 
and  let  me  ride  sometimes  I  preached 
at  Nottingham-Cross  as  1  went. 

I  stayed  a  few  days  at  London,  then 
Mv.  Richards  and  I  get  out  for  Oxford. 
\Vc  both  preached  at  High- Wycombe  as 
we  went. 

When  we  came  to  Oxford,  v,  e  met  three 
young  gentlemen  in  their  gowns  in  the 
street,  but  I  think  I  never  hoard  a  soldier 
or  a  sailor  swear  worse  than  they  did. 
Mr.  Richards  being  first,  and  a  Collegian 
himself,  said,  '  (ientlemen,  I  am  ashamed 
to  hear  yeu  •.  It  is  a  sad  thing,  that  you 
fjhonld  come  here  to  learn  to  be  guides  to 
others  in  the  way  to  heaven,  and  continue 
to  go  in  the  way  to  destruction  your- 
fjclvcs  !'  One  of  them  said  with  a  curse, 
'  What,  are  you  a  Presbyterian  V  When  1 
spoke,  another  of  them  said,  'These  chaps 
belong  to  poor  Wesley  so  they  went  a- 
way. 

We  spent  a  Sabbath  at  Oxford  ;  and 
some  ol  the  Collegians  behaved  vei-y  rude- 
ly as  1  M'as  preaching  in  the  evening  ;  but 
the  Lord  put  Iiis  hook  into  their  jaws, 
and  kept  them  from  doing  any  harm  to  the 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


people,  or  hindering  ine  in  my  discourse. 
The  next  day  we  got  to  Cirencester,  and 
stayed  two  nights  there  ;  and  one  of  tlie 
brethren  went  with  us  to  Bristol.  All  this 
journey,  we  had  but  one  horse  between 


After  tarrying  a  lew  dajs  at  Bristol, 
and  preaching  a  few  days  at  Bath,  Mr. 
Wesley,  Mr.  Downs  and  I  set  out  for 
Cornwall.  Mr.  Downs  and  I  had  but  one 
horse,  so  we  rode  by  turns.  Mr.  Wesley 
preached  at  Taunton  Cross  and  Exeter 
Castle  as  we  went.  We  generally  set  out 
before  Mr.  Wesley  and  Mr.  Shepherd. 

One  day  hiiving  travelled  twenty  miles 
without  baiting,  we  came  to  a  village,  and 
enquired  for  au  Inn  ;  but  the  people  told 
us  there  was  none  in  the  toM-n,  nor  any  oa 
our  road  within  twelve  Cornish  jniles  ; 
Then  I  said, '  Come,  brother  Downs,  wo 
jnust  live  by  faith.'  When  we  had  stood 
awhile,  I  said,  '  Let  us  go  to  yonder 
house,  wliere  tlie  stone  porch  is,  and  ask 
for  s'Mneihing  ;  so  we  did,  and  the  woman 
said,  '  We  have  bread,  butter  and  milk, 
and  good  hay  j'or  your  horse  '  When  wc 
had  refreshed  ourselves,  1  gave  tJie  wo- 
man a  shilling  ;  but  she  said,  she  did  not 
desire  any  thing  :  1  said,  '  I  insist  upon 
it.' 

We  got  to  Bodmin  that  night  ;  but  it 
was  late  before  Mr.  Wesley  and  Mr.  Shep- 
herd arrived,  having  lost  the  path  on  the 


THE  JOURNjIL  OF 

twelve-mile  common,  and  found  the  wayM 
again  by  the  sound  of  tlie  beils.  The  nexifl 
day  we  got  to  Gwennp,  and  the  day  after ■ 
to  St.  l\e.s.  Tiie  lolloping  day  J  worked^ 
at  my  own  business,  and  continued  to  , 
work  for  several  days. 

When  I  had  done  my  job  of  work,  I 
went  to  St.  Justs,  and  pveached  at  the 
cro-s  to  a  large  company  of  well  behaved 
people.  Then  I  went  to  the  Land's-Knd, 
and  preached  the  same  evening.  Next 
morning,  wiiich  was  Sunday,  i  came  to 
IVlorva  church.  After  service  I  preach- 
ed, and  in  the  evening  at  Zunnor. 

\V  hen  I  had  been  out  a  week,  I  return- 
ed to  St.  Ives,  and  Ibund  brother  Downs 
in^a  iever,  so  that  he  was  not  able  to  preach 
at"  all.  All  that  time  Mr.  >Vesley  and  I 
lay  on  the  floor.  He  had  my  great  coat 
for  his  pillow,  and  I  had  Burkitt's  Notes 
on  the  New-Tastament  lor  mine.  After 
being  here  near  three  weeks,  one  rnorning, 
about  three  o'clock,  Mr.  Wesley  turned 
over,  and  finding  me  awake,  clapped  me  on 
the  side,  saying,  '  Brother  Nelson,  let  us 
be  of  good  cheer,  I  ha  ve  one  wltole  side 
yet,  for  tlie  skin  is  oA'  but  on  one  side.'  We 
usually  pre;iched  on  the  Commons,  going 
from  one  Comujon  to  another,  and  it  was 
but  seldom  ai'.y  one  asked  us  to  eat  and 
driiik, 

Oiie  day  wc  had  been  at  St.  Hilldry 
Downs,  and  Mr.   Wesley  had  preached 


MR.   JOHN  NELSOK, 


95 


from  Ezekiel's  vision  ol' dry  bones,  and 
there  was  a  shaking  among  the  people, 
as  he  preached.  As  we  returned,  Mr. 
Wesley  stopped  his  horse  to  pick  tlie 
black-berries,  saying,  'Brother  Melson, 
we  ought  to  be  th;>!ikiul  that  there  are 
plenty  ol"  black  berries  ;  lor  this  is  the  best 
country  1  ever  saw  fbi'  getting  a  stomach, 
but  the  worst  that  ever  I  saw  lor  getting 
food  ;  do  the  people  think  we  can  live  by 
preaching?'  1  said,  *  1  know  not  what  they 
may  think  ;  but  one  asked  me  to  eat  sonie- 
thingas  I  came  from  St.  Ju^ts,  when  I  eat 
heartily  of  barley  bread  and  honey.'  He 
said  '  You  were  well  oiY :  1  had  thongiit  cf 
begging -a  crust  of  bread  of  the  woman, 
where  I  met  the  people  at  Morva,  butibr- 
got  it  till  1  had  got  some  distance  from  the 
house.' 

One  Sunday,  having  been  at  the  T.-.uul's 
End  in  the  morning,  and  at  Morva  at  noon, 
I  cametoZunnor  to  preach  at  night,  anil 
got  there  before  the  altern>.on  service  be- 
gan, la  the  sermon  the  minister  said, 
'  Here  is  a  people,  who  hold  that  damna- 
ble popi.sh  doctrine  of  .iKstification  by 
faith  ;  therefore  I  beg  you  not  to  hear 
them.'  After  the  service  was  over,  I  went 
about  two  hundred  yards  from  the  church, 
and  got  upon  a  rock,  where  I  began  to  sing 
a  hymn,  and  [I  believe  the  whole  congre- 
gation came  to  hear  me.  According  to 
I'elightl  had,  I  shewed  what  was  the 


9c 


THE   JOUKNJL  OF 


faith  of  the  gospel,  and  what  the  faith  of 
*he  church  of  Rome. 

I  stayed  a  fortnight  after  Mr.  Wesley 
was  gone,  and  found  my  soul  was  much 
blessed  among  the  people.  When  Mr. 
Wesley  arrived  at  Bristol,  he  wrote  to 
nie,  and  desired  nie  to  call  at  three  differ- 
ent places  to  preach,  iu  my  way  to  Bris- 
tol. 

When  I  leftCapt.  Hitchens's,  I  was  be- 
nighted on  the  twelve-mile  common,  and 
was  wet  to  the  skin,  but  by  the  providence 
of  God,  I  came  to  the  house,  where  I  had 
called  in  going  down.  I  knocked  at  the 
door,  and  the  woman  knew  my  voice,  and 
said, '  The  Lord  bless  you  !  come  in.'  As 
soon  as  1  went  into  the  house,  they  pulled 
oli  my  wet  clothes,  and  put  on  me  dry  ones, 
and  got  me  something  warm  for  sup- 
per ;  tlieytookmy  wet  clothes  out  of  my 
bags,  which  they  rinced,  dried  and  iron- 
ed. We  sang  a  hymn,  went  to  pray- 
er,  and  i  gave  them  an  exhortation  that 
night.  The  next  morning,  the  man  rose 
up,  and  alarmed  that  and  another  village, 
so  that  by  seven  o'clock  I  had  about  three 
hundred  to  preach  to,  who  all  seemed  to 
receive  the  word  with  joy.  I  heard  soon 
afterward,  thatthe  man  and  his  wife,  who 
received  us,  had  received  the  Lord  that 
sent  us. 

Tiie  next  night  I  came  to  Sticklepath, 
and  preached  to  a  largo  congregaiion  ia 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


97 


a  field.  As  I  was  speaking,  a  woman,, 
who  had  been  brought  up  a  Quaker,  be- 
gan to  tremble,  and  in  a  little  time  sunk 
down  upon  the  grass,  and  laid  till  I  had 
done.  Then  they  brought  her  to  Mrs. 
Bridgood's,  where  I  was,  and  I  prayed 
with  her.  Although  most  ofthe  company 
were  Quakers,  yet  they  desired  me  to  sing, 
and  read  several  of  our  hymns. 

The  next  morning,  before  I  began  to 
preach,  the  woman  that  fell  down,  with 
two  more,  came  into  the  room  where  I 
was  ;  she  said, '  I  had  no  rest  in  the  night, 
the  anguish  of  my  soul  was  so  great,  and 
I  de-sirc  thee  to  pray  with  me.'  We  went 
to  prayer,  and  when  we  rose  up,  she  said, 
O  praise  the  Lord,  for  to-day  is  the  day 
of  Pcnteco.st  with  me.' 

After  I  had  done  preaching,  an  Excise- 
man, who  came  from  Crockern  Wells, 
told  mc,  that  it  was  given  out  for  me  (o 
preach  there  at  ten  o'clock  that  afternoon, 
and  he  was  to  conduct  me.  So  we  set 
out  directly,  and  I  preached  in  anorchard. 
Among  the  rest  of  the  people  were  a  cler 
gyman  and  his  wife.    All  behaved  well. 

Almost  as  soon  as  I  alighted  at  the  Ox- 
ford inn,  in  Exeter,  a  man  came  to  con- 
duct me  to  the  place  where  I  was  to 
preach.  There  was  a  clergyman  in  the 
next  room,  who  soon  came  into  the  room 
where  I  was,  and  a?ked  me  how  the  two 
iMr.  Wesleys  did  ?  and  insisted  upon  my 
1  , 


08  THP  JOURNAL  OF 

supping  with  him.  I  told  him,  I  must  g<y' 
to  preach  first.  He  said  he  would  go  with 
me;  which  he  did.  As  1  was  preaching, 
the  clerk  of  a  parish  fell  down,  and  after 
him  another  inati  and  woman.  They  did; 
not  cry  out,  but  lay  groaning  for  mercy. 
After  1  had  done,  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  people  were  gone,  1  went  to  prayer 
with  them  that  were  in  distress. 

As  we  went  back  to  the  Inn,  the  Cler- 
gyman said,' 1  dare  not  preach  as  you  did' 
to-night  :  You  prayed  that.  God  would' 
give  yoi!  some  I'ruit  in  that  place,  as  he 
had  done  in  others  :  I  have  been  a  preach- 
er for  many  years,  and  1  cannot  say  that  I 
have  had  any  Iruit,  that  any  one  has, 
been  converted  by  my  preaching  in  all 
my  life.'  I  replied,  '  If  you  be  not  con- 
verted yourself,  and  have  not  a  greater 
commission  than  man  can  give  you,  you 
jnay  proach  all  your  days,  and  never  con-' 
vert  one  soul. 

When  wc  were  at  supper,  he  asked  me 
how  Mr.  Wesley  went  on  .>  and  when  he 
.heard  how  he  lived,  and  how  he  was  treat-, 
ed  by  wicked  men,  he  said,  *  If  that  be  the' 
way  to  heaven,  I  think  1  shall  never  geft 
there  ;  my  llesh  i.s  not  brass,  nor  by  bones 
iron.'  I  replied,  '  You  do  not  know  what^ 
you  can  bear,  till  you  come  to  be  tried.' 
He  said, 'Well,  I  believe  Mr.  Wesley  i.s 
the  greatest  man  in  the  kingdom,  but  I 
think  he  uses  too  much  austeri'  v  '    W  e 


MB.   JOHN  NELSON. 


99 


'  ed  till  eleven  o'cloc'c,  then  parted  in 
\  e.  I  saw  hini  no  more,  but  Jiave  heard 
ice  tliat  he  receives  Mr.  Wesley  to 
(  ich  in  his  church,  and  that  God  has  , 
mIc  him  an  instrument  of  converting 
-riners. 

I  preached  the  next  morning,  and  then 
set  out  for  Axminsler,  where  I  preached  in 
the  open  street,  at  tiiree  in  the  alternoon, 
to  a  \veli-l)ehaved  people,  thou^  it  was 
the  second  day  of  the  lair. 

The  next  day,  1  went  to  Thorngrove, 
near  Middiescy.  That  night  Cod  blessed 
his  word  to  many,  as  appeared  afterwards. 
One  gentlewoman  was  convinced  that 
night,  who  four  years  after  sent  my  w  ife 
four  guineas,  which  came  in  good  time; 
for  she  had  borrowed  four  guineas  of  a 
neighbour  to  buy  a  cow  ,  and  the  time  for 
payment  was  come,  and  she  had  not  mo- 
ney to  pay. 

When  I  got  to  Bristol,  I  found  my  soul 
much  blessed  among  the  people,  and  in 
those  ten  days  there  were  several  that 
found  the  Lord. 
In  my  return  home  I  preached  at  Stroud, 
and  several  other  places  in  my  way  to 
Wednesbury,  whither  I  came  not  long  af- 
ter the  people  had  been  mobbed  in  such  a 
cruel  manner.  I  preached  in  an  open  yard 
to  very  large  congregations  of  people,  se- 
veral times  ;  somt  of  the  mobbers  came  to 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


hear  me,  but  all  behaved  well.  So  he, 
who  stops  the  raging  of  the  sea,  can  stay 
the  madness  of  the  people. 

After  spending  a  few  days  there,  I  set 
out  for  Nottingham,  and  stayed  there  twtt 
days.  I  preached  at  the  Malt-Cross  on  th& 
Sabbath,  to  a  large  congregation,  in  great 
peace  ;  but  Monday  being  a  rejoicing  day, 
they  had  bon  fires  in  the  Market  place, 
and  some  came  with  squibs  to  disturb  me 
as  I  was  preacliing.  One  of  them  threw  a 
squib  on  fire  close  to  my  heels,  but  a  wo- 
man kicked  it  away.  The  man  caught  it 
up  again  to  throw  at  me,  but  it  burst  ia 
his  hand,  and  he  went  away  shaking  hia 
head.  Another  came  on  the  low  side  of 
the  cross  with  a  design  to  thi  ow  one  io 
my  face  ;  but  \  did  not  turn  my  face  that 
way  as  soon  as  he  expected,  so  that  it 
burst  in  his  own  hand.  As  soon  as  I  had 
done,  a  sergeant  in  the  army  came  to 
me  with  tears  in  his  c^es.and  said,  *  in  the 
presence  of  God,  and  all  this  people  I  beg 
your  pardon  ;  for  I  came  on  purpose  to 
mob  you,  but  when  I  could  get  no  one  to 
assist  me,  I  stood  to  hear  you,  and  am  con- 
vinced of  the  deplorable  state  my  soul  id 
in,  and  I  believe  you  are  a  servant  of  the 
Jiving  God.'  He  then  embraced  me,  and 
went  away  weeping. 

When  I  got  home,  I  found  my  wife 
much  better,  though  never  likely  to  reco- 
ver her  former  strength  ;  owing  to  the  per- 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON, 


101 


sedition  she  met  with  at  Wakefield,  when 
Mr.  narvvood  was  mobbed  there.  After 
they  had  abused  him,  she,  m  ith  some  wo- 
men, set  out  for  Birstal,  a  mob  followed 
them  into  the  fields;  wlien  they  overtook. 
1  hem,  she  turned  about  and  spake  to  them, 
u|)on  wliich  all  the  men  returned  without 
touching  them,  but  the  women  followed 
them  till  they  came  to  a  gate,  where  they 
stopt  them.  They  damned  her,  saying, 
•  You  are  Nelson's  wife,  and  here  you  shall 
die.'  They  saw  she  was  big  with  child, 
yet  beat  her  on  the  body  so  cruelly,  that 
they  killed  the  child  in  her  womb,  and  she 
went  home  and  miscarried  directly  ;  this 
treatment  she  has  reason  to  remember  to 
her  life's  end  but  God  more  than  made 
it  up  to  her,  by  filling  her  with  peace  and 
love. 

There  had  been  some  disturbance  at 
Leeds,  and  1  was  the  first  that  stood  up  af- 
ter at  brother  Shent's  door.  A  number  of 
men  had  protested  to  pull  down  the  first 
man  that  attempted  to  preach  there  ;  hut 
if  the  fear  of  God  could  not  restrain  them, 
the  fear  of  the  magistrates  did,  so  that 
they  did  not  meddle  with  me  ;  only  some 
boys  threw  about  a  peck  of  turnips  at  me, 
but  not  one  of  them  hit  me.  That  was  a 
blessed  morning  to  many  souls  ;  two  that 
had  been  enemies^  were  struck  to  the 
ground,  and  cried  out  for  the  disquietude 


102 


The  journal  of 


of  Ihcirsouls.  I  preached  often  afterwards, 
■rt  ith  little  disturbance,  and  believers  were 
raiiltiplied  in  l-cedp. 

After  i  had  stayed  a  few  months  in 
Yorkshire,  I  went  a  tliini  tunc  into  Lin- 
colnshire. At  Epworth  we  had  peaceable 
and  blessed  meetings.  But  when  1  came 
to  Grimsby,  the  minister  got  a  man  to  beat 
the  town  drum  through  the  tort-n,  and  went 
before  the  drum,  and  gathered  all  the  rab- 
ble he  could,  giving  them  lirjuor  to  go 
with  him  to  fight  for  the  church.  When 
they  came  to  Mr.  Blow's  door,  they  set  up 
three  huzzas,  and  the  parson  cried  out, 
•  Pull  down  the  house  !  pull  dowB  the 
house!'  But  no  one  oHered  to  touch  the 
house  till  1  had  donepreaching.  Then  they 
broke  the  windows,  till  they  had  not  lel't 
one  whole  square  about  the  house  ;  and  as 
the  people  went  out,  they  abused  them,  till 
some  of  the  mob  began  to  fight  their  I'el- 
lows  for  abusing  the  women,  so  that  most 
of  the  people  got  away  while  they  were 
lighting  one  with  another.  Not  long  af- 
ter the""  minister  gathered  them  together 
again,  and  gave  them  more  drink  ;  then 
they  came  and  broke  the  stanchions  of 
the  windows,  pulled  up  the  paving  in  the 
streets,  which  they  threw  in  at  the  win- 
dows, and  broke  the  household  goods  in 
pieces,  the  parson  crying  out,  •  If  they 
will  not  turn  the  villain  out,  that  we  may 


riK.   JOHN  NELSON. 


105 


!   him  in  the  bjack-dilch,  pull  down 
house.' 

\\  hi!e  they  wercdriimrning,  cursing  and 
s\v  caring,  fighting  and  breaking  the  goods, 
one  ol"  their  neighbours,  who  was  not  a 
liearer,  went  to  an  alderman,  and  said, 
•  Some  order  must  be  taken  with  these 
men,  Tor  if  they  be  suffered  to  go  on  as  they 
do,  they  will  ruin  William  Blow,  and  I 
fear  they  will  kill  somebody.'  But  the 
good  alderman  said  he  would  do  nothing 
but  lend  them  his  mash-tub  to  pump  the 
preacher  in.  Then  the  mob  fell  out  again 
one  with  another  and  dispersed,  after  la- 
bouring from  seven  till  almost  tw  elve  at 
night.  The  pardon  said  to  the  drummer, 
I  will  reward  you  for  ^vour  pains,  but 
be  sure  to  come  at  five  in  the  morning,  for 
the  villain  will  be  preaching  again  then.' 
So  the  drummer  did,  and" began  to  beat 
just  as  I  was  going  to  give  out  the  hymn. 
V\  hen  he  had  beat  for  near  three  quarters 
of  an  hour,  and  saw  it  did  not  disturb  us, 
he  laid  down  his  drum,  and  stood  to  hear 
for  himself,  and  the  teats  presently  ran 
down  his  cheeks.  When  [  had  ended,  he 
expressed  great  sorrow  for  w  hat  he  had 
done  to  disturb  us.  As  he  and  some  others 
went  up  the  town,  the  parson  met  them, 
and  bid  them  be  sure  to  come  at  seven 
o'clock.  He  said,  '  No,  sir  ;  I  will  ne- 
ver beat  the  drum  to  disturb  yonder  peo- 
ple *ny  more  while  breath  is  iu  my  body.' 


THE  roURNAt  OF 


So  that  we  had  great  peace  in  our  shatter- 
ed house  that  night,  and  God's  presence 
amongst  us. 

The  next  day  I  went  to  Hainton  ;  and 
when  I  had  done  preaching,  a  grave  elder- 
ly gentleman  came  to  me  and  said,  '  Your 
doctrine  is  sound,  but  it  would  far  better 
become  a  church.'  I  answered,  '  Sir,  if  a 
man  was  hungry  in  the  midst  of  a  desart, 
and  wholesome  food  was  brought  him,  lie 
would  not  refuse  to  eat  because  he  was  not 
in  the  dining-room.'  He  replied,  '  You 
are  right,  you  are  right.  1  thank  you 
kindly,  and  wish  you  well,  and  that  much 
good  may  be  done  by  you  wherever  you 
preach,  for  good  food  is  good,  wherever  it 
is  eaten.' 

When  I  got  to  Epw  orth,  I  was  told  the 
clerk  was  drunk,  and  had  been  swearing 
he  would  pull  down  the  preacher,  and 
take  him  to  such  an  ale-house,  wliere  the 
curate  and  some  other  men  were  drinking. 
In  the  evening,  as  I  was  preaching,  he 
came  staggering,  and  rushed  in  among  the 
people,  crying,  '  Stand  out  of  the  way  ; 
lor  1  must  have  the  preacher :  He  must 
go  before  my  master,  that  is  in  such  an 
itle-house,'  One  asked  him  where  his 
warrant  was  .>  he  said  he  had  none,  but 
his  master  had  sent  him,  and  be  would 
make  me  go  with  him.  The  people  bade 
him  hold  his  peace,  or  get  about  his  busi- 
ness ;  and  when  he  began  to  be  rude,  one 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


105 


took  him  up  in  his  arms,  and  laid  him 
down  upon  a  dunghill,  and  there  left  liim. 

After  I  got  home,  it  was  much  impiea- 
scd  upon  me,  that  some  trial  was  coming 
upon  me.  And  several  times  when  1  was 
preaching,  1  have  said,  '  There  is  a  cloud 
gathering,  and  it  will  burst  over  my  h  ead. 
Opray  for  me  !'  After  this,  I  stayed  some 
time  in  Yorkshire,  and  sinners  were  daily 
turning  from  their  evil  ways  ;  so  that  se- 
veral ale-house  keepers  cursed  me  to  my 
lace,  and  told  me  1  ought  to  be  transport- 
ed, for  I  preached  so  much  hell  and  dam- 
nation, that  I  terrified  the  people  so,  that 
they  durst  not  spend  sixpence  w  ith  a  neigh- 
bour. 

Some  time  after,  I  met  a  gentleman  as 
I  was  riding  to  Leeds,  who  said  something 
about  the  weather.  1  answered,  *  The 
Lord  orders  all  things  well.'  He  present- 
ly said, '  I  know  you,  for  I  have  heard  you 
preach,  but  I  do  not  like  you.  You  lay 
a  wrong  foundation  for  salvation  :  Do 
you  think  that  the  blood  of  another  maa 
will  save  me.'  I  replied, '  St.  Paul  sailh 
other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  but  Christ 
Jesus  i  but  you  say  that  is  a  wrong  foun- 
dation. Upon  what  terms  do  you  expect 
to  be  saved  He  said,  '  by  good  works.' 
I  answered, '  You  will  be  the  firstthatever 
got  to  heaven  that  wa,y.  But,  suppose  you 
could,  what  would  you  do  when  you  came 
there  >'    He  said,  '  What  do  others  do 


T}iE  jourkAl  or 


there  ?'  I  answered,  '  They  sing  glory  to 
Cod  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  to  tlie  I 
Lamb  for  ever  and  ever,  that  was  slain,  ; 
and  hath  redeemed  us  by  his  blood.  But  ! 
your  song  will  be,  glory  to  myseif.  For  1 
have  quickened  my  own  soul,  and  quali- 
fied myself  for  heaven.  O  sir,  what  a 
scandalous  sonj^  wiil  you  have  to  sing  }  It 
w  ill  make  discord  in  hciiven.'  He  turned 
pale,  and  said  nothing  tor  some  time. 
VVJien  he  had  rode  awhile,  he  said,'  All 
tlie  Ijord  requires  of  us  is.  To  do  justly, 
to  love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with 
God  '  I  answered,  '  Do  you  expect  to 
stand  dr  fall  by  that  scripture  ?'  He  said, 
'  I  do.'  'I'hen  I  replied,  •  You  are  lost  for- 
ever, if  you  are  to  go  to  heaven  fordoing 
justly,  for  loving  mercy,  and  walking 
JiU  Tibly  with  God.  I  appeal  to  your  con- 
science, if  you  have  not  come  short  in 
every  one  of  these  duties.  Have  you  dealt 
-with  every  man,  as  you  would  have  Lim 
do  to  you,  in  all  circumstances,  ever  since 
you  knew  good  from  evil  >  Suppose  you  had, 
Jiave  you  dealt  justly  with  God,  and  employ- 
ed every  talent,  that  he  has  committed  to 
your  charge,  to  his  glory,  lioth  lime,  wis- 
dom and  learning  ;  house,  land,  health 
and  trade.?  If  yon  i^uv  tisod  an>  one  ta- 
lent, and  not  to  the  glory  of  (Jod,  you 
liave  l  obbed  him.'  'I  hen  1  spoke  of  the 
other  two.'  He  said,  '  There  is  repent- 
ance.'   But  I  replied,  '  Not  for  you  ;  for 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


107 


you  are  to  be  saved  fordoing  justly,  for 
loving  mercy,  and  walking  humbly  witli 
God.  If  you  come  short  of  these  duties, 
you  must  be  damned-'  He  said,  '  Lord 
have  mercy  on  me  !  you  are  enough  to 
make  any  man  despair."  '  Yes,  i  said,  of 
saving  himself,  that  he  may  come  to  Jesus 
Christ  and  be  saved."  He  argued  no 
more.  But  heard  me  patiently,  and  part- 
ed friendly. 

One  Sunday  I  was  at  a  chapel,  where 
the  Minister  laboured  much  to  persuade 
the  people  that  there  was  no  such  thing 
as  the  forgiveness  of  sins  in  this  world  : 
when  he  had  done,  he  sent  the  clerk  to 
desire  me  to  call  upon  him  ;  I  did  so,  and 
he  told  mc,  he  uuderstood  1  was  he  that 
went  about  to  delude  the  people,  telling 
them  they  might  know  their  sins  forgiv- 
en in  this  world,  and  there  is  no  such 
thing  ;  he  said,  he  did  not  know  his  own 
sins  were  forgiven,  and  he  had  talked 
with  several  learned  Divines,  and  there 
was  not  one  of  them  that  did  ;  and  seve- 
ral believed  they  must  never  know  it,  till 
the  day  of  judgment.  I  answered,  *  Sir, 
what  will  be<rome  of  their  souls  till  then  ; 
will  they  lie  in  heaven  or  hell  }'  He  said, 

•  It  was  an  unfair  question  '    I  replied, 

*  Sir,  if  what  you  say  be  true,  every  time 
we  use  the  church  prayers,  we  offer  the 
sacrifice  of  fools,  and  mock  God  to  his 
face  ;  for  this  day  you  and  all  the  congre- 


108 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


gatioii  in  my  presence,  prayed  that  God 
would  forgive  you  all  your  sins,  negligen- 
ces, and  ignorances  ;  And  you  ainrmed 
in  the  presence  of  God,  that  he  pardoneth 
and  absolveth  all  them  that  truly  repent, 
and  unfeignedly  believe  the  gospel  ;  if  he 
do  not,  you  are  a  false  witness  and  a  de- 
ceiver of  the  people  yea,  and  a  contem- 
ner of  the  word  of  God  for  St  Peter 
eaith,  'To  him  give  all  the  prophets  wit- 
ness, that  whosoever  believeth  in  him, 
shall  receive  forgiveness  of  their  sins.' 
And  St.  Paul  saith,  '  By  him  all  that  be- 
lieve are  justified  from  all  things/  He 
doth  not  say  they  shall  be  justified  at  the 
day  of  judgment,  but  all  that  believe  are 
justified.  And  St.  John  saith,  '  I  write 
unto  you  little  children,  because  your  sins 
are  Ibrgiven  for  his  name's  sake.'  He  re- 
plied, '  You  take  some  part  of  Scripture.' 
1  answered,  '  I  leave  all  the  rest  to  you 
to  contradict  me  if  you  can.  For  this  day 
you  have  denied  the  faith  of  the  Church 
you  call  yourself  a  Minister  of ;  as  she 
saith,  '  Before  the  grace  of  ' Christ,  and 
the  inspiration  uf  his  Holy  Spirit,  no  good 
work,  can  be  done.'  But  you  say,  there  is 
no  such  thing  as  inspiration  to  be  expect- 
ed in  this  age.  And  yet  you  prayed  that 
God  would  cleanse  the  thoughts  of  your 
heart  by  the  inspiration  of  his  Holy  Spi- 
rit !*  Then  be  said,  *  You  have  too  good 


-MR     JOHN  NELSON. 


10) 


a  memory  Cor  ine  Landlady,  brii)g  us  a 
pint  of  ale  :' — So  I  left  him 

One  man  in  our  town  that  had  ran 
well  for  a  season,  but  had  turned  from 
us,  and  was  become  a  liappy  sinner,  now 
invited  tiie  "Germans  to  preac*.  at  his 
house.  One  of  their  chief  Preachers  came, 
and  said,  (after  preaching,)  they  had  been 
asking  their  Saviour  about  preaching  in 
Birstai  ;  and  the  Lamb  had  made  it  plain 
to  them,  the  time  was  come  that  they 
should  have  a  church  in  Birstai  :  'YhiciJ, 
when  one  came  and  told  me  ;  1  said, 
*  God  had  shewed  me  to  the  contrary, 
and  you  may  go  and  tell  the  Preacher, 
that  that  Iamb  who  told  thein  so,  is  a 
liar.'  They  came  several  weeks  together, 
but  to  no  purpose.  Then  the  Preacher 
said,  '  It  is  not  the  lamb's  will  that  they 
should  come  any  more  '  When  they  told 
me,  I  replied,  '  Their  lamb  is  much  giv- 
en to  change  :  He  had  not  continued  in 
one  mind  for  three  months. ' 

After  this,  as  I  was  going  to  StainclifT 
to  work  at  my  business,  about  five  in  the 
morning,  I  met  with  a  Dissenting  Minis- 
ter ;  he  ^topped  me,  and  said,  'John, 
3  0U  go  often  this  way  :  I  would  have  you 
come  and  spend  an  hour  with  us,  for  I 
want  to  talk  with  you.'  1  answered,  I 
have  not  an  hour  to  spare,  for  I  go  to 
my  work  at  five  ia  the  morning,  and 


110 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


work  till  six  at  night-  Then  I  have  al- 
ways somewhere  to  go  and  preach ;  sq 
that  [  have  scareiy  time  to  read  a  chap- 
ter in  the  Bible,  but  at  my  dinner  hour; 
and  sometimes  i  have  to  preach  in  that 
hour.'  He  said,  '  What  do  you  mean  by 
Redemption  ?  Do  you  mean  that  Christ 
hath  died  lor  all  ?'  I  replied,  '  1  do  be- 
lieve he  did,  or  he  cannot  judge  ail  : 
For  Truth  itself  cannot  condemn  any 
man,  because  he  will  not  believe  a  lie.' 
He  said,  '  What  do  you  mean  >'  I  answer- 
ed, '  Every  man  is  bound  to  believe  that 
by  nature  he  is  a  child  of  wrath  ;  and 
by  wilful  sin  an  heir  of  hell  ;  and  that 
while  he  was  in  that  lost  condition,  the 
eternal  Son  of  God,  for  his  sake,  took 
upon  him  our  nature;  and  did  in  that 
nature  fulfil  all  righteousness  for  him,  and 
at  the  last  gave  his  soul  an  offering  for 
sin  ;  he  must  consciously  believe  that  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  loved  him,  and  gave 
himself  for  him,  or  he  must  be  damned 
eternally.  And  if  the  Lord  did  not  give 
himself  for  him,  he  must  be  damned,  be- 
cause he  does  not  believe  a  lie.  But  you 
know  it  is  said,  '  He,  by  the  grace  of  (Jod, 
tasted  death  for  every  man  ;  and  he  gave 
himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  in 
due  season.'  And  St.  Johnsaith,  '  He  is 
the  propitiation  for  our  sins  ;  and  not  for 
ours  only,  but  for  the  sins  of  the  whole 
world.'  Sir,  there  are  numberless  Scrip, 
tures  that  say  he  did  die  for  all  ;  but 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


Ill 


shew  me  one  that  saith  he  did  not  die 
lor  a!l  ?  He  answered,  '  if  he  died  lor  all, 
w'Jiy  are  ni)t  all  saved  ?'  1  replied,  '  Ket 
the  Lord  an.ivver  I'or  Jiiiiiseli" :— '  Ve  will 
not  come  unto  jjic,  tliat  ye  init^ht  Iiave 
life.'  He  then  said,  '  You  say,  it  is 
of  him  that  willeth.'  I  answered,  '  U  is 
Christ  that  saith,  'Ye  will  not  come  to 
ilie.  Do  not  pi  eiend  to  be  wiser  than  the 
Lord  that  tiiadcyon.  ^'cii  sayyou  will  have 
no  ifs  ;  but  i  say.  If  you  give  the  promise 
without  the  condition,  Uod  will  take  your 
name  out  of  the  book  of  life.  1  hope  you 
will  weigh  these  things  ;  i  shall  be  glad 
to  converse  with  you  at  some  other  oppor- 
tunity, for  my  time  is  now  expired." 

Almost  every  day  some  came  to  dispute 
with  me  as  1  was  at  work.  And  I  saw  eve- 
ry day  more  clearly,  that  he  who  insists  on 
men  being  saved  from  theirs-ns,  by  Christ 
in  this  world,  is  like  a  speckled  bird,  for 
all  Sects  and  Parties  that  have  not  the  life 
of  Christ  in  them  to  mock  at. 

One  day  two  Quakers  fell  upon  me  very 
Jiolly,  and  told  me  1  was  carnal,  or  else  I 
should  not  make  use  of  carnal  ordinances, 
nor  seek  the  living  among  the  dead,  i 
told  them,  those  ordinances  they  called 
carnal.  •  knew  to  be  spiritual  ;  for  God 
had  relVesiied  my  soul  in  the  use  of  them 
by  his  spirit.  *  You  say,  I  seek  the  living- 
among  tiie  dead,'  but  I  do  not  ;  for  1  have 
twuiid  tht  Lord  of  ii!e  in  the  great  congre- 


THE   JOORNjIL  of 


gation  :  But  if  I  would  leave  the  church, 
where  njust  1  go  'o  find  a  people  ihat  arc 
truly  alive  to  God?  They  told  ine,  it"  1 
M  as  right  i  should  come  to  thetn  ;  for  they 
,were  the  only  people  that  had  spiritu- 
al worship  ainoiisgt  them,  'i'hey  talked 
liiuch  about  Ceoige  Fox  and  William 
Pean,  and  said,  '  What  thinkest  thou  of 
theinr''  i  answered,  'I  think  well  of  them  ; 
but  their  graces  will  profit  you  nothing, 
cxctpt  the  same  change  be  wrought  in 
your  hearts,  as  was  in  tiiem.  Neither 
do  i  see  that  you  are  Gods  people  any 
more  than  those  who  go  to  church  ;  for 
the  Lord  hath  set  a  mark  upon  his  chil- 
dren, and  it  will  l  est  on  them  as  long  as 
the  world  endureth.'  'I'hey  asked, '  What  is 
that  mark  ?'  I  replied, '  They  are  hated  of 
all  men  that  know  not  God  :  for  they  who 
live  after  the  viirit  must  be  persecuted  by 
those  that  live  after  the  flesh.  I  do  not 
see  that  is  your  case,  any  more  than  of 
those  who  go  to  church  :  Your  forefathers 
bad  tliat  spot  of  God's  children  ;  but  you 
have  lost  it  as  much  as  the  cliurcii.'  Then 
one  of  them  turned  pale,  and  said,"  Do 
you  believe  that  Giod  hath  no  people  in  the 
land  but  the  Methodists  ?'  I  replied,  1 
did  not  say  so/  He  said,  '  They  are  the 
only  people  that  are  persecuted  now  ' 
'I'liey  thenwentaway  seemingly  much  dis- 
contented. ' 

As  i  was  passingthro'  part  of  Lancashire, 
1  found  the  Lord  reviving  his  m  ork  among 


113 


MH.   JOHN  HF.LSCN. 

the  people.    After  I  bad  dene  preaching 
at  one  place,  a  man  and  his  wile  came  to 
me.  both  in  tears,  and  desired  nic  to  pray 
with  them  ;  1  did  so.    When  I  had  done,  I 
was  exhorting  them  to  abstain  Irom  all 
evil,  and  to  continue  in  prayer,  and  told 
them,  God  would  shew  mercy  un  o  them 
for  the  obedience  and  blood-snedding  ot 
his  dear  Son.    Presently  a  dissenter  broke 
out.  and  said,  '  You  are  deceiving  the 
people,  and  setting  them  to  lean  on  a  bro- 
ken reed,  i>y  telling  them  that  another 
man's  obeelience  and  blood  would  atone  foi 
their  sins'    I  asked  him  how  he  could 
stand  before  that  God  who  is  ol  purer  eyes 
:  than  to  behold  iniquity,  il  tiie.e  were  no 
merit  in  the  blood  of  Christ  to  atone  lor 
bis  sins  >  He  saul.  '  Man  hath  sucn  noble 
faculties,  that  if  he  improve  them,  he  will 
thereby  qualify  liimself  ior  heaven  ;  but 
you  degrade  man's  nature  in  your  prearh- 
io-  and  set  him  on  a  level  with  the  brute 
'    beasts.'    1  said.'  Did  i  so?'  He  replied, 
•  Yes  yon  did,  for  1  heard  you  myseli. 
I  replied,  '  Then  sir.  you  heard  me  preach 
fulse  doctrine;  fur  if  1  set  a  natural  mau 
upon  a  level  with  the  beasts,  1  set  h.m 
p-ieatly  out  of  hi.s  place  :  I  believe  he  ib 
far  worse  ;  for  he  has  not  only  all  the 
faculties  of  the   beast,  which  are  Inst 
and  earthly  mindedness,  but  the  nature 
of  the  devil,  wrath,  pride,  malice  and  am- 
bition, he  is  therefore  three  degrees  w  orse 


K  S 


114 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


than  a  beast,  till  he  is  created  anew  in 
Christ  Jesus  ;  go  that  if  I  ranked  him  with 
the  beasts,  I  set  him  above  his  place.' 
Then  he  burst  out  into  anger  :  But  I  said, 
•  Sir,  make  use  of  that  reason  you  speak 
of,  and  let  mc  see  you  save  yourself  from 
anger,'  At  which  he  was  ready  to  strike 
me  ;  and  went  away,  leaving  me,  as  lie 
said,  in  my  stupid  condition. 

When  1  had  got  about  ten  miles  farther 
into  the  country,  another  Dissenter  came 
into  the  house,  where  1  was  at  prayer 
with  a  poor  man.  When  I  had  done,  I 
exhorted  him  not  to  rest,  till  he  was  sure 
that  the  Lord  Jesus  had  loved  him.  and 
washed  him  from  his  sins  in  his  own  blood. 
At  which  words,  the  dissenter  spoke  out, 
saying,  '  I  hate  to  hear  people  talk  of  be* 
ing  assured  of  any  such  thing,  or  of  per- 
fection in  tliis  world."  1  replied,'  Is  the 
Lord  oi  life  able  to  do  what  he  came  from 
heaven  to  do  >'  He  said,  '  What  is  that  .> 
I  answered,  '  To  destroy  the  works  of  the 
devil,  to  make  an  end  of  sin,  and  to  bring 
in  an  everlasting  righteousness.'  He  said, 
'  Shall  you  make  me  believe  that  any  man 
can  live  without  committing  sin.'  I  an- 
swered, '  I  cannot  tell  whether  1  can  make 
you  believe  it  or  not  ;  but  this  I  can  tell 
you,  by  the  authority  of  God  s  word,  that  if 
you  are  not  saved  from  your  sins  here, 
you  must  be  damned.'  Well,  said  he,  1 
care  not  what  you  say  ;  for  no  man  can 
live  without  coiTjniitting  sin  one  day.'  I 


MR.  JOHN  NKLSOK. 


Hi 


replied,  '  By  yourtalkit  is  as  necessary  for 
a  man  to  commit  sin,  as  to  cat  ;  for  you 
say,  he  cannot  live  without  it.  Now  doth 
it  keep  his  body  or  soul  alire  ?  Or  do  you 
believe,  that  all  mankind  are  to  live  in  sin, 
and  die  without  perfecting  holiness  in  the 
fear  of  God,  and  so  be  damned  without 
liope  or  help  ?'  He  answered,'  No  ;  God 
forbid.'  Then  I  said,  '  You  must  be- 
lieve there  is  a  purgatory  to  cleanse  the 
souls  in  alter  death.  Sir,  you  and  the 
devil  speak  one  language  ;  for  he  said  to 
our  mother  Eve, '  Did  God  say,  in  the  day 
that  ye  eat  thereof,  ye  shall  die.  Ye  shall 
not  die  '  Hod  saith,  '  The  soul  that  sinneth. 
it  shall  die:  But  you  say,  '  The  souls  of 
all  must  continue  in  sin,  and  yet  they  shall 
not  die  !  He  said,  '  You  shock  me  ;  if 
things  be  as  you  Siiy,  what  Avill  become  of 
the  greatest  part  of  mankind  1  replied, 
•  Our  Lord's  word  is,  '  What  is  that  to 
thee,  follow  thou  me."  He  said,'  1  cannot 
but  acknowledge,  you  have  the  scripture 
on  your  side.  But  if  you  are  right,  we 
are  sadly  wrong.  1  never  did  hear  one  of 
you  in  my  life  ;  lor  our  Minister  has  warn- 
ed us  not  to  hear  you  ;  but  i  am  determin- 
ed to  hear  you  this  night.'  So  he  did,  and 
thanked  mc  kindly  w  hen  I  had  done. 

At  my  return  home,  I  was  told,  that  they 
were  going  to  press  men  for  his  Majesty's 
service,  and  that  several  of  the  aie-house- 
keepera  and  clergymen  had  agreed  to 


HTl  THE   JOURNAL  or 

press  me  for  one.  And  I  was  advised  not 
to  preach  for  a  season,  by  several  of  my 
neighbours.  But!  told  them,  1  durst  not 
leave  off  preaching,  for  any  thing  that 
man  could  do  unto  me.  They  replied, 
*  You  should  consider  that  you  hare  a 
wife  and  children,  and  that  your  wife  is 
now  big  with  child  ;  and  if  you  be  taken 
from  them,  what  can  the  poor  woman  do, 
or  how  must  she  provide  for  her  chil- 
dren 1  said,  •  Let  God  look  to  that  :  If 
wicked  men  be  suffered  to  take  away  my 
life,  for  calling  sinners  to  the  blood  of 
Jesus;  the  Lord,  whose  servant  1  am,, 
will  be  a  husband  to  the  widow,  and  a  fa-  >' 
ther  to  the  f^tJierlcss.  And  were  1  assur-  " 
ed,  1  should  be  banished  or  put  to  death 
for  preaching,  and  niy  wife  and  children 
bsg  their  bread  bare  foot,  I  durst  not  leave 
oft" :  for  the  words  of  our  Lord  pursue  me, 
'  He  thatlovcth  father  or;nother,  wife  or 
childven,  or  his  own  life,  moretiian  me,  is 
not  worthy  of  ine  ;  and  he  that  would  save 
his  life,  shall  lose  it  ;  and  he  that  will 
hsc  hio  life  for  my  sake,  shall  save  it. 
Therefore,  pray  for  me,  but  do  not  tempt 
me  to  sin  against  my  own  soul. 

A  few  days  after  1  went  to  Pudsey  ;  but 
•whe-.i  I  got  there,  the  people  of  the  house 
durst  not  let  me  preach  ;  they  fold  me  the 
constable  had  orders  to  press  me,  and  de- 
sired me  not  to  light,  but  go  back  directly. 
I  rode  down  to  a  public  house,  where  the 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


117 


constable  and  some  ethers  met  toge- 
ther, iiiid  talked  with  them  ;  and  the  peo- 
ple had  said,  he  had  orders  to  jm  css  me  ; 
but  he  said,  '  i  will  not ;  for  j  ou  do  nrt  ap- 
pear to  be  a  vagrant,  and  my  warrant  runs 
lor  none  but  vagrants.'    JVlany  of  the  peo- 

Eie  followed  me  into  the  lane,  and  1  sat  on 
orseback,  exhorting  tJiem  to  keep  close 
to  God  bj  prayer,  and  the  Loid  would 
build  the  walls  of  Jerusalem,  in  these  trou- 
ble.iome  times. 

Soon  after,  I  went  to  preach  at  Leeds. 
"When  I  got  there,  I  was  told  (hat  two 
constables  had  orders  to  press  me,  if  f 
preached  that  night.  1  said,  '  if  the  peo- 
ple will  venture  to  liear,  1  dare  not  but 
preach  and  immediately  1  went  to  the 
place,  where  was  a  large  congregation  ga- 
thered together,  to  v  ho.m  i  preached  ; 
and  a  blessed  season  it  was.  The  two 
constables  ga^e  great  heed  to  what  was 
spoken,  and  never  offered  to  disturb  me. 
or  any  one  of  the  people  ;  but  went  av\  ay 
like  men  that  feared  Cotl. 

1  still  kept  hewing  stone  in  the  day 
time,  and  preaching  every  night  Or: e  day 
as  1  was  at  work,  the  same  ditscnting  min- 
ister, that  had  stopped  mc  one  morning, 
came  to  me,  and  began  to  ask  mc  many 
questions.  He  seemed  oit<;nded  with  my 
answers,  and  said,  he  would  have  none  of 
my  ifs  and  bulji.  I  answered, '  Sir,  tlicy  are 
coiie  of  mine,  they  are  the  w  ords  of  tlie 


THE   JOURNAL  OP 


f-iord  Jesiis  ;  and  who  is  he,  thil  dares  put 
asuuder  what  the  Lord  hath  joined  toge- 
ther ?'  Then  ]ie  replied,  'Do  you  think 
God  would  [Hit  \'ou  ofi',  ifjoii  W'ere  to  com- 
mit as  '^1  r;it  a  sin  as  ever  you  committed 
in  all  your  life  ?'  J  said  '  i  believe  1  should 
tliereby  cut  myself  oflflVom  God  for  the 
prophet  saith,  '  Your  sins  have  separated 
between  you  and  your  God  :*  And  God 
paith,  '  i\'y  people  have  committed  two 
evils  ;  For  they  have  forsaken  me  the 
fountain  of  living  water,  and  have  hewo 
out  to  themselves  cisterns,  broken  cisterns 
that  will  hold  no  water."  Mow  Sir,  God 
would  nothave  said,  '  They  have  forsaken 
me,'  if  they  had  never  been  acquainted 
Avith  him  ;  and  I  believe,  that  one  of  the 
cisterns  which  they  hewed  to  themselves, 
was  the  opinion  you  have  in  your  head, 
that  sin  will  not  separate  the  soul  from 
God.'  He  said,  *  You  do  not  understand 
the  nature  of  God's  decree  -.  For  God  doth 
not  look  upon  sin  in  the  elect:  lie  did  not 
behold  the  iniquity  in  .lacob,  nor  see  sin  in 
Israel.'  I  said,  'No  sir,  he  did  not,  while 
Jacob  was  upright  and  God  was  his  glory  : 
At  that  time,  God  rejoiced  over  him,  to  do 
him  good,  with  his  whole  heart,  and  his 
whole  soul  ;  but  when  hecommitted  whore- 
dom with  the  daughters  of  Moab  and  be- 
gan to  bow  to  their  idols,  then  God's  anger 
was  kindled  against  Israel,  and  he  cutoff 
twenty-four  thousand  of  them  in  his  wrath. 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


119 


even  the  very  people  whom  Balaam  had 
pronounced  blessed.' 

Then  his  brother-in  law,  who  was  by 
hirn,  began  to  curse  and  swear,  and  lifted 
up  his  stick,  saying,  he  could  find  in  his 
heart  to  knock  me  down,  and  called  me  a 
damned  dog  ;  and  said,  '  Cans  t  thou  have 
the  impudence  to  talk  so  to  a  minister  ? 
Thou  deservesttliy  brainsbeat  out.'  1  said, 
*  Sir,  here  is  an  evidence  of  what  I  said, 
for  you  can  be  angry  with  me  for  preach- 
ing righteousness  by  Jesus  Christ,  but  you 
do  not  reprove  this  man  for  blaspheming 
the  holy  name  of  God.'  Then  they  went 
away  and  left  me  to  my  work.' 

A  little  time  after,  as  I  was  at  work,  a 
man  came  to  me,  and  said,  he  had  called 
at  a  public  house  for  a  pint  of  ale,  a  little 
way  from  Birstal,  and  he  heard  the  land- 
lord offer  to  lay  five  pounds  with  some  that 
were  drinking,  that  John  Nelson  would  be 
sent  for  a  soldier  before  ten  days  were 
past:  I  replied,  '  The  will  of  the  Lord  be 
done  :  if  (Jod  permit  it  to  be  so,  this  also 
shall  turn  to  the  furtherance  of  the  gos- 
pel.' He  said,  '  1  would  have  you  take 
care,  for  evil  is  determined  against  you.' 
I  answered,  'I  am  not  my  own,  but  the 
Lord's  :  He  that  lays  hands  on  me,  will 
burn  his  own  fingers,  and  God  will  deliver 
me  after  he  hath  tried  me.' 

Soon  after  as  I  was  at  my  work  at  ano- 
ther place,  three  geatle<nen  cai;;e  to  lac. 


]20 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


and  one  of  them  began  to  speak  strongly 
against  perfection.  1  gave  him  no  answer. 
Then  another  began  to  talk  about  build- 
ing ;  and  said,  '  Hewing  of  stone  is  a  fine 
art.'  I  replied,  '  Sir,  it  was  a  fine  art 
once,  wlien  there  were  eiglity  thousand  to- 
getlier,  so  skilled  in  the  art,  that  every 
man's  stones  were  |)erfectly  fitted  for  the 
places  tiiey  were  to  have  in  the  temple  be- 
fore they  were  brought  ofT  the  moun- 
tain ;  so  that  when  they  came  to  Jerusa- 
lem, there  was  not  one  stroke  to  strike  at 
them,  nor  the  sound  of  a  tool  heard  in  the 
building  :  Sir,  you  will  allow  those  men 
to  be  workmen  t')at  needed  not  to  be  asha- 
med ;  For  tiieir  work  was  perfect  before 
it  came  to  Jerusalem.'  The  gentleman 
said,  *  You  are  right,  you  are  right  ;  I 
will  never  speak  against  holiness  being 
perfected  in  this  world  again  ;  for  certain- 
ly that  house  of  God  at  Jerusalem,  was  a 
type  of  the  house  eternal  in  the  hea- 
vens ;  and  every  stone  of  that  must  be  fit- 
ted perfectly  for  ii's  place  in  this  world, 
oriit  must  not  be  admitted  into  that  New- 
Jerusalem.'  He  added,  '  I  thank  you  ;  and 
wish  that  our  preachers  may  so  square 
their  work  after  the  rules  of  God's  word, 
that  they  may  not  be  ashamed  when  they 
come  to  give  up  their  accounts  to  him  who 
is  Lord  of  the  work.' 

Wherever  1  w  ent  to  preach,  for  ten 
days  together,  I  v.  as  told  that  the  consta- 
bles had  orders  to  press  me.    My  answer 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


was,  ''Hie  will  of  the  Lord  be  done  ;  for 
the  fierceness  of  man  shall  turn  to  his 
praise.* 

On  Friday,  as  I  was  hewing  stone,  i( 
was  in  my  mind,  that  trouble  was  near  at 
hand  ;  but  the  words  of  isaiah  were  a  stay 
to  me.  •  I  even  I  am  he  thnt  comforteth 
you.  Who  art  tliou,  that  thou  shoiiidst 
be  afraid  of  man  that  shall  die,  or  ol'tlie 
son  of  man,  .vhich  shall  be  made  as  grass." 
And  again  it  came  to  me, '  Fear  thou  not, 
for  !  am  wilii  thee,  be  not  dismayed, 
for  1  am  thy  God  ,  I  will  strengthen  thee, 
yea,  I  will  help  thee,  yea,  1  will  uphold 
thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my  righteous- 
ness. Dehold,  all  thsy  that  are  incensed 
against  tliee,  shall  be  ashamed  and  con- 
founded, they  shall  be  as  nothing,  and 
they  that  strive  with  thee  shall  perish. ' 

At  night  I  was  met,  as  1  was  going  to 
Adwalton,  by  one  who  told  mc.  that  the 
parson  and  aleho'ise-kcepers  had  agreed  to 
press  me  that  night,  and  to  send  nie  awvy 
the  next  morning  for  the  commis.=ioners 
■were  to  sit  at  Halifax,  and  they  would 
dispatch  me  before  1  could  get  any  one  to 
appear  in  my  behaif.  And  she  said,  '  I 
would  have  you  turn  back. ;  for  there  is  one 
alehouse-keeper  that  swears  he  will  press 
you,  if  his  arm  rots  from  his  shouh'f!)-.' 
i  answered,  I  cannot  tear  ;  for  God  i  s  on 
my  side,  and  his  word  hath  added  strength 
to  my  soul  this  day.  And  if  I  fall  into  the 
L 


i£2  The  journal  ot 

hands  of  wicked  men,  God  shall  be  glorifi- 
ed tliereby,  and  when  he  liath  proved  me 
ill  the  furnace,  he  will  bring  me  forth  as 

;^0ld.' 

Accordingly  I  went  to  AdwaUon,  and 
expou'ided  at  John  Booth's,  to  a  well  beha- 
ved congregiition.  When  1  had  done,  Jo- 
seph Gibson,  the  constable's  deputy,  (an 
alehouse-keeper,  who  found  his  craft  was 
in  danger,)  pressed  me  ibra  soldier.  1  ask- 
ed iiiin  by  whose  order  ?  He  said,  '  Several 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  who  did  not 
like  so  much  preaching  -.'  and  by  his  own 
talk  it  appeared,  they  were  those  of  his 
own  cralt,  and  the  clergymen  who  had  a- 
greed  together 

He  caused  me  to  go  to  the  White-Heart, 
whither  Mr.  Charlesworth,  and  Mr. 
Holmes  of  Sikehouse,  and  several  more 
went  with  us,  and  Mr.  Charlesworth  offer- 
ed 500l.  bail  for  me  till  the  next  day.  But 
110  bail  was  to  be  taken  for  a  Methodist, 
^so  called.)  He  protested  1  should  go  to 
his  house.  1  made  no  resistance,  but 
went,  and  several  of  onr  people  with  us  ; 
and  we  sang  a  hymn  and  prayed  together, 
and  so  parted. 

Next  morning  several  people  came  to 
see  me  before  we  went  from  Adwalton. 
Here  I  was  kept  ten  hours  before  the  war- 
rant came  into  his  house  :  when  tlie  con- 
.ititble  came,  he  said> '  H  lie  had  been  there,. 


MR.  JOHN   NELSON.  ICI 

ihe  would  have  prevented  what  Gibson 
had  done.' 

Between  eight  and  nine  I  went  to  Bir- 
stal,  to  my  house  ;  and  after  I  had  chang- 
ed my  clothes,  we  set  out  I'or  Halifax. 
When  1  was  brought  before  the  commissi- 
oners, they  smiled  at  one  another,  as  soon 
aathey  saw  me.  They  bid  the  door-keepers 
not  to  let  any  man  come  in  ;  hui  Mr.  Tho- 
mas Brooks  had  got  in  witii  me  ;  a.nd  they 
«aid, '  That  is  one  of  his  converts.'  Then 
they  called  Joseph  Gibson,  and  asked  how- 
many  men  he  Jiad  brought?'  He  said, 
'  One.'  '  Well,  and  what  nave  you  against 
him  ?'  '  Why,  gentlemen,'  said  he, '  I  have 
nothing  against  him,  but  he  preaches  to 
the  people  and  some  of  our  townsmen 
don't  like  so  much  preaching  '  They  broke 
out  in  laughter  ;  and  one  of  them  swore, 
I  was  fit  to  go  for  a  soldier,  for  there  1 
might  have  preaching  enough.  I  said  to 
him, '  Sir, you  ought  not  to  swear.'  '  Well, 
said  they  to  me,  you  have  no  license  to 
preach,  and  you  shall  go  ibr  a  soldier.'  1 
answered,  '  Sir.  I  have  surely  as  much 
right  to  preach,  as  you  have  to  cwear.' 
He  said  to  the  captain,  'captain,  is  he  fit 
for  you  ?'  '  Yes,'  he  answered  :  '  Then 
take  him  away.' 

But  1  s.aid,  '  Here  are  several  of  my  ho- 
nest neighbours  ;  you  ought  to  give  rue  thff 
liberty  of  anotlier  man,  and  hear  what  lliey 
say  of  me,  whether  I  am  such  a  one  its  ihe 


1C4 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


warrant  raer.tiotis,  or  no.'  Tljcy  answer- 
etJ,  *  Here  is  your  miaistcr,  (one  of  the 
commissioners,)  and  he  hatli  told  us  of 
yoi;r  chai  ncter,  and  we  will  hear  no  more. 
So  i  fuund  1  was  comdemned  before  tho 
foriinaissioners  saw  me. 

Tliea  Mr  Brooks  laid  the  petitions  be- 
fore tlicm,  sent  mc  by  neighbouring  gen- 
tlemen, which  testified  I  had  done  no  evil^ 
bat  had  behaved  myself  well  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, and  had  always  maintained  my 
i'amily  very  well  :  and  they  desired  them 
to  set  me  at  liberty.  And  Mr.  Brooks  said, 

♦  Gentlemen,  you  see  he  is  not  such  a  man 
as  is  mentioned  in  the  warrant.'  But 
they  bade  him  hold  his  peace,  and  said. 
You  are  one  of  his  pupils,  and  ought  to 
go  wil-h  him.'  He  answered,  '  Why  do 
you  not  send  me  then  for  you  have  as 
much  right  to  send  me  as  him.' 

Tiien  our  minister   spoke   and  said, 

*  Yoi!i:g  Brooks  lives  with  a  woman  of 
the  \".  oJtit  chiiracter  in  our  town,'  When 
I  liearJ  him  speak  ag . tin st  hi.s  neighbour, 
sucli  notorious  i'alHshoods  as  ttiese,  I 
thought  it  would  be  to  no  purpose  for  Mr. 
Brooks  in  say  any  more  ;  so  i  desij  ed  him 
to  be  silent.  'J'hen  they  read  the  papers 
sent  on  my  behalf;  and  one  of  the  coni- 
])any  asked,  if  he  must  put  them  on  the 
file  ?  But  the  answer  to  him  by  several 
w.t.s,  '  No,  for  if  they  be  called  for,  they 
«  iil  make  against  us." 


MB.   JOHN   NELSON.  I'-o 

'  So,  said  I,  gentlemen,  I  sec  there  is 
neither  law  nor  justice  lor  a  nmn  tli;d  is 
called  a  Methodist  ;  but  all  is  lawful  ihat 
is  done  against  me.  I  pray  God  roi  ;j;i\  e 
you,  for  you  know  not  u  hatyou  do.'  'i'liey 
answered,  '  Surely  yoiir  minister  must 
be  a  better  judge  of  you  than  any  other 
Uian  ;  and  he  hath  told  us  enough  of  you 
undyour  preaching'  '  Well,  said!,  Mr. 
C — ,  What  do  you  know  of  me  that  is 
evil  ?  Whom  have  I  defrauded  ?  Or  wiicro 
have  I  contracted  a  debt  that  I  cannot 
pay?'  He  said,  '  You  have  no  visi'ole  way 
of  getting  your  living'  1  answered,  '  i 
am  as  able  to  get  my  living  with  my  hands 
as  any  man  ol  iiiy  trade:  in  England  is,  and 
you  know  it  :  and  Iiave  i  not  been  at  work 
yesterday,  and  all  the  wcoi:  befcre.'  But 
they  bane  the  captain  take  me  away  ;  eo 
he  came,  and  said.  '  We  wiii  take  ^  ou  oif 
preaching  soon.'  I  answered,  '  You  must 
first  ask  my  master's  leave.'  Bui,  he  said, 
'  We  will  makeyou  give  over.'  i  replied, 
'  It  is  out  of  your  power.'  Then  Jie  thrust 
me  into  a  corner  of  the  room,  and  said, 
*  You   shall  have  company  presently  ' 

Afterwards  several  were  brought  to  the 
c^ommissioneis,  and  three  condemned  to 
go  with  me,  and  lour  or  five  acquitted. 
But  all  had  their  neighbours  to  speak  for 
them,  except  me  ;  for  what  need  was 
there  of  any  other  witness  ? 

L  2 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


Gloi-y  be  to  God  on  high  !  He  kept  my 
soul  all  this  time  in  pcrlect  peace  ;  and  I 
could  say  to  him,  from  my  heart, — 

Whilst  thou,  O  my  God,  art  nigh. 
My  soul  disdains  to  fear  ; 

Sin  and  Satan  I  defy, 
Still  inipotcntly  near: 

Earth  and  hell  their  w  ars  may  wage. 
Calm  1  mark  their  vain  design. 

Smile  to  see  them  idly  rage. 
Against  a  child  ol"  thine. 

Then  the  captain  read  the  articles  to 
us  that  were  condenined,  and  said,  '  Vou 
hear  your  doom  is  death,  if  you  disobey 
ns.'  [answered,'  1  do  not  lear  the  man 
that  cap  kill  me,  any  more  than  I  do  hjm 
w  ho  can  cut  down  a  dog  standard.  For  I 
know  my  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God  •, 
and  he  w  ill  judge  between  you  and  me 
one  day  ;  but  1  beseech  him  not  to  lay  this 
sin  to  jour  charge.'  And  to  Mr.  C — ,  [ 
said, '  Sir.i  pray  God  forgive  you,  for  yon 
have  givenime  such  a  character,  as  not 
another  man  in  England  will,  that  knows 
ine.' 

I  was  greatly  surprised  to  see  men  sit 
on  the  judgment  seat,  and  drink  and  swear 
as  they  did  ;  and  a  man  that  had  a  com- 
mission iVom  God  to  reprove  all  that  do 
such  things,  could  hear  and  see,  and  yet 
never  speak  in  God's  cause.  It  made  me 
cry  out  to  the  Lord,  'Take  t!ie  matter  in 


MR.  JOHN  NJSLSON. 


thine  own  hand,  O  God,  for  righteousness 
is  fallen  in  the  streets,  and  iniquit;- bears 
rule.'  But  I  could  not  hear  them  swear, 
but  must  1  spealc  to  them,  although  they 
mocked  my  reproof. 

Then  we  were  guarded  to  Halifax  ;  but 
the  keeper  would  not  let  us  come  into  his 
jail.  We  were  then  taken  to  the  olhcer  s 
quarters,  and  kept  till  six  at  night ;  where 
John  Rhodes  and  Thomas  Charlesworth, 
of  Little  Gummersall,  came  to  see  iiie, 
and  cared  for  my  soul,  as  if  they  had  been 
my  mother's  sons.  O,  my  God,  remein 
her  them  for  good,  and  give  them  and 
their  houses,  and  all  that  wish  well  to  our 
Sion,  to  rejoice  in  *iie  gladness  of  thy  peo- 
ple ! 

At  six  we  set  out  for  Bradforth,  and 
many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Halifax  i)rayed 
forme,  and  wept  to  see  me  in  the  hands 
of  unrighteous  and  cruel  men.  But  I  said, 
*  Fear  not,  God  hath  his  way  in  the  whirl- 
wind, and  he  will  plead  my  cause — Only 
pray  for  me,  that  my  faith  fail  not  ' 

When  we  were  about  half  way  between 
Halifax  and  Bradforth,  one  of  the  soldiers 
said  to  me,  '  Sir,  I  am  sorry  for  you  ;  for 
the  captain  is  ordered  by  the  commission- 
ers to  put  you  in  the  dungeon — But  I  will 
speak  to  him,  and  if  he  will  let  me  have 
the  care  of  you,  you  shall  lie  with  me. 
for  the  dungeon  is  as  loathsome  a  place  a» 
I  ever  saw.'    I  thanked  him  for  his  offer. 


1C8 


THE  JOURNAL  OP 


But  when  we  got  to  Bradforth,  we  were 
drawn  up  in  tlie  street  where  the  cross 
BtooJ,  and  the  captain  went  and  fetched 
the  people  of  the  dungeon,  and  said, 
'  Take  this  mati,  and  [lut  him  into  the 
dungeon  :  And  take  this  other  along  with 
you.  —  (A  poor  harmless  man,  all  the 
clothes  upon  whose  back  were  not  worth 
one  siiiliing  ;  ,  neither  did  they  lay  any 
thing  to  his  charge,  when  he  was  ordered 
for  asoldier,) 

But  wiien  we  came  to  the  dungeon  door, 
the  soldier  wlio  spoke  to  me  by  the  way, 
went  to  the  captain,  and  said,  'Sir,  if 
you  will  give  me  charge  over  Mr,  Nelson, 
my  life  i'or  his,  he  bbuU  be  forth-coming 
in  the  morning.'  But  the  captain  threat- 
ened to  break  his  head,  if  he  spoke  about 
me  any  more. 

The  captain  came  to  us  before  I  went 
down,  and  i  asked  him,  '  Sir,  what  have 
I  done,  that  1  must  go  to  the  dungeon  if 
you  are  afraid  of  me,  that  1  should  run 
away,  set  a  guard  over  me  in  a  room,  and 
1  will  pay  them.'  He  answered,  '  My  or- 
der is  to  put  you  in  the  dungeon.'  So  I 
see  my  Lord's  word  is  fulfilled,  '  The  ser- 
vai.t  is  not  above  his  master.'  For  those, 
who  were  accused  of  thieving,  and  great 
evils  which  they  had  done  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, m,ust  eat  and  drink,  and  lie  on 
feather  beds  ;  but  I  only  desired  a  little 
w  afer,  a;id  it  was  refused  lae  by  the  rap- 


Ma.   JOHN  NELSON. 


tain,  although  I  had  nothing  all  day  ex 
cept  a  little  tea  in  the  inonung.  But  my 
Master  never  sends  his  servants  a  warfu,re 
at  their  own  charge  :  He  gives  streuglh  ac- 
eorcling  to  our  i'.ny.  For,  when  >  came 
into  the  dungeon,  that  stunic  ■worse  than 
u  hog  st^-e  or  little  house,  by  reason  ol'the 
blood  I  lil:h,  uhich  sink  Irotn  the  but- 
chers who  kill  over  it,  jny  sou!  v>-;;s  so  fill- 
ed with  the  love  of  God,  that  it  wiis  a  pa^ 
J  adise  to  me. 

Then  could  I  cry  out,  O  the  gloriolis  li- 
berty ol'the  sons  of  God  !  And  1  fell  dow  n 
on  my  knees,  and  gave  God  thanks,  that 
he  counted  me  worthy  to  be  ;  ut  in  a  dun- 
geon for  truth's  sake  ;  and  prayed  that  my 
isnemies  might  be  saved  from  the  wrath  to 
come,  I  think,  with  as  much  desire  as  I 
could  feel  for  ray  own  mother's  children. 
I  wished  they  were  as  happy  in  their  own 
houses  as  1  was  in  the  dungeon. 

About  teu,  several  of  tlie  people  came 
to  the  dungeon-door,  and  brought  me  some 
caudles,  and  put  me  some  meat  and  water 
ia  through  the  hole  of  the  door.  When  I 
bad  eat  and  drank,  I  gave  God  thatiks 
aud  we  sang  hymns  almost  all  night,  they 
without,  and  1  u  ilhin. 

The  same  night  a  man  that  lives  in 
Bradfoi  th.  came  to  the  dungeon,  and  tho' 
he  was  an  enemy  to  the  Methodists,  when 
he  smelt  the  ill  savour  of  the  place,  he 
said,  '  Humanity  moves  me ;''  he  went 


150 


tun  JOUnNAL  OF 


away  dfrectly,  and  about  eleven  came 
again,  and  said.  "  I  will  assure  you  1  am 
not  in  y«ur  way  of  thinking;  but  for  all 
that  I  have  been  with  your  captain,  and 
oirered  ten  pounds  bail  for  you,  and  my- 
self as  prisoner,  if  he  would  let  you  lie  in 
a  bed,  but  all  in  vain,  for  I  can  get  nothing 
of  him  but  bad  words.  If  tlie  justice  were 
ill  town,  I  would  have  gone  to  him,  and 
would  soon  have  fetch'd  you  out ;  But  since 
it  is  as  it  is,  I  pray  God  plead  your  cause.' 
O  my  God,  let  not  him  that  would  give  a 
cup  of  cold  water  to  thy  servants,  lose  his 
reward  ;  but  do  thou  bless  him,  and  bless 
thy  people  :  and  I  beseech  thee  to  have 
mercy  on  our  enemies,  and  let  not  thy 
heavy  judgments  fall  upon  them  ;  but  be 
thou  glorified  in  their  conversion,  not  in 
their  destruction ! 

The  poor  man  that  was  with  me,  might 
have  starved,  if  my  friends  had  not 
brought  him  meat;  For  when  they  had 
locked  us  up,  they  went  to  their  lodging, 
and  took  no  more  thought  of  us  that  night. 
Here  we  had  not  so  much  as  a  stone  tu  sit 
on. 

When  the  man  and  I  were  laid  down  in 
a  little  stinking  straw,  •  Pray  you.  Sir, 
(said  he.)  are  ail  these  your  kinsfollt,  that 
they  love  you  so  well?  1  think  they  are 
the  most  loving  people  that  ever  I  saw  in 
my  life.'  1  answered,  *  By  this  you  may 
hllQW  that  they  are  Jesus  Christ  s  disciplesi 


Mt.  JOHN  NEL86N.  i3l 

fbr  this  is  the  mark  he  himself  has  gi- 
ven, whereby  all  men  might  kwow  his  dis- 
ciples from  the  unbtiieviiig  world.' 

At  faur  in  the  morning,  my  Avife  and 
several  more  came  to  the  dungeon,  and 
epoke  to  me  through  the  hole  of  the  door  ; 
and  I  said,  '  Jeremiah's  lot  is  luUen  upon 
me.'  Then  it  came  to  my  remembrance, 
that  when  I  was  about  thirteen  or  fourteen 
years  old,  I  often  thought  if  God  would 
make  me  like  Jeremiah,  to  stand  and  speak 
his  words  to  the  people  in  ihe  streets,  as 
he  did,  I  should  not  mind  who  cast  dirt  at 
me.  And  now  1  am  in  some  measure, 
treated  as  he  was,  for  persuading  men  to 
Wee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 

My  wife  said,  '  Fear  not  ,  the  cause  in 
Is  God  s,  lor  which  you  are  here,  and  he 
will  plead  it  himself.  Therefore  be  not 
concerned  about  me  and  the  children  :  For 
he  that  feeds  the  yoiing  raveua  will  be 
mindful  of  us.  He  will  give  you  strength 
for  your  day  ;  and  after  we  have  suflered 
awhile,  he  will  perfect  that  which  is  lack- 
ing in  our  souls,  and  then  bring  us  where 
the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and 
where  the  weary  are  at  rest.' 

So  they  all  said  that  were  with  her  at 
the  door.  1  was  greatly  refreshed  at  fuid- 
ingmyw  ifeso  strong  in  faith,  when  she 
was  like  to  be  left  with  two  children,  and 
big  with  another  at  the  same  time:  and 
euid,  *  1  cannot  fear  either  man  or  devil,- 


TKD  JOURNAL  0* 


SO  long  as  I  find  the  love  of  God  as  I  do 
now;  for  he  has  cheered  my  heart  as  with 
sweet  wine,  ever  since  he  suffered  nie  to 
he  cast  into  prison-  O  thai  I  may  be  faith- 
I'ul  unto  death,  and  I  shall  receive  the 
crown  of  life  !  For  not  one  word  of  Jesus 
shall  fail  to  the  ground  till  all  be  accom- 
plished.' 

About  five  in  the  morning  they  took  me 
out,  and  we  were  guarded  to  Leeds,  and 
stood  in  the  street  till  ten.  Hundreds 
tiocked  to  see  me.  Some  said,  'It  is  a 
shame  to  send  a  man  for  a  soldier  for 
speaking  the  truth  ;  for  many  of  our  neigh- 
bours that  follow  the  Methodists,  and 
were  as  wicked  before  as  any  people  in  the 
town,  ars  now  like  new  creatures-,  for 
T/e  don  t  hear  an  ill  word  come  out  oftJicir 
mouths. '  Others  cried,  '1  wish  they  were 
haitgctl  out  of  the  way,  for  they  make 
people  go  mad  :  and  we  cannot  get  drunk, 
or  swear,  but  every  fool  must  correct  us, 
as  it^we  were  to  he  taught  by  them.  But  i 
hope  they  will  be  brought  to  nought,  for 
that  is  one  of  the  worst  of  them.' 

As  I  was  standing,  a  jolly  well  dressed 
woman  came  up  to  me,  and  put  her  face 
•iliiiost  to  mine,  and  said,  '  Now,  Nelson, 

i;ere  is  thy  Cod  ?  thou  saidest  at  Shcnts 
door,  as  thou  w.-ist  preaching,  thou  wast 
iio  more.afraid  of  his  promise  iailing,  than 
tiiou  wast  of  dropping  through  the  heart 
of  the  earth."    1  ftplied.  '  i.ook  in  the 


MR.   JOlIN  NELSON 


7t!i  chapter  of  Micah,  and  t!ie  Sea  aM^Oth 
verses."  r 

Just  as  fhe  church  began,  I  was  guard- 
ed to  the  jail,  and  the  others  ordered  to 
the  ale-house.  The  jail-keeper  here  was 
very  civil  ;  lor  be  let  ir.y  friends  come  in 
eeveral  times  to  see  nic.  1  thought  of  the 
I'ilgrim's  Progress  ;  For  hundreds  of  peo- 
ple in  the  street  stood  and  looked  at  nic 
througli  the  iron-grate,  and  were  readj' 
to  fight  about  me.  Several  would  have 
given  bail  for  nie,  if  they  would  let  me 
out  hilt  1  was  told  that  one  hundred 
pounds  were  refused,  which  were  oHered 
by  a  stranger  for  nie.  I  am  too  notorious 
a  criminal  to  be  allowed  snch  favours  ;  for 
Christianity  is  a  crime  wliich  the  world 
can  never  forgive. 

At  night,  1  believe,  a  hunurtci  of  our 
friends  were  Avith  mc  in  the  juil  together. 
We  sang  ahymn,  and  prayed.  I  gave  an 
exhortation,  and  ]>arted.  But  .Mr.  li. 
was  not  willing  th?.t  I  should  lay  on  stink- 
ing straw,  and  .sent  me  a  i)ed  to  lie  on.  I 
find  the  time  is  not  yet  come  lor  me  to  be 
hated  of  all  men  i'or  the  sake  of  Christ.  I 
pray  God  to  give  me  strength  for  that  day  ! 
Glory  be  to  his  holy  name,  hitherto  '  is 
grace  is  sufficient  lor  me,  and  I  hang  up- 
on his  promise  for  strength  in  my  next 
trial. 

At  five  on  Monday  morning,  I  was  let 
out  of  jail,  and  we  marched  otf  for  York. 


134^    i|         THE  JOURNAL  OF 

direciP-j  many  of  our  friends  went  with 
us  our  of  the  town  near  three  miles  ;  but 
w  hen  I  came  to  take  my  leave,  they  mourn- 
ed as  one  that  had  lost  his  first  born.  I 
spoke  comfortable  words  to  them,  and 
l)ade  them,  'standfast,  in  nothing  terri- 
iied  by  your  adv^ersarics  ;  which  is  to  them 
an  evident  token  of  perdition,  but  to  yoi* 
of  saivation,  and  that  of  ()od.  So  the 
peace  of  Cod  be  with  you  all."  We  came 
to  York  by  tliree,  and  were  brought  be- 
fore several  of  the  officers,  at  the  Black* 
Swan,  in  Coney-street,  who  seemed  to  re- 
joice as  men  that  had  taken  great  spoil, 
and  saluted  me  with  many  a  grievous 
oath.  It  brought  something  to  my  mind, 
which  1  had  spoken  in  the  fields  to  the 
l>ord,  when  he  had  broken  a  great  cloud 
that  was  on  my  soul,  through  my  refu- 
sing to  preach  when  many  desired  me,  and 
I  had  time,  but  consulted  wiih  flesh  and 
blood,  and  Jonah  like,  fled  from  the  pre- 
sence of  the  Lord,  down  into  a  valley 
near  the  side  of  a  wood,  where  God  laid 
his  hand  on  me,  and  brought  my  soul  in- 
to such  distress,  that  I  threw  myself  on 
the  ground  and  requested  for  death  ;  see- 
ing- it  more  agreeable  to  flesh  and  blood, 
to  be  a  skepherd's  dog  than  a  preacher  of 
the  gospel;  for  his  hand  is  against  every 
man,  and  every  man's  hand  against  him. 
But  at  the  remembrance  of  the  prophets 
a:nd  the  apostles,  and  Christ  hiniself,  what 


HN    NELSON.  W/KtlSo 


contradic'lions,  and  tribuIation^^^^Bkall 
met  with,  the  cloud  bioke,  a:i(^^^Hbu| 

was  so  refreshed  with  the  love  flW^od, 
th^t  I  CI  icd  out,  '  My  l^ord  and  my  God  i 
Now  tliou  bust  given  me  strength,  forsake 
me  not  ;  and  it'  tiiou  bend  me  to  hell  to 
preach  to  devils^  1  am  ready  to  go.^ 

When  1  was  before  these  officers,  anti 
heard  such  language,  I  thought  hell  could 
not  be  much  worse  than  the  company  I  was 
in.  I  asked  them,  *  Do  you  believe  there 
is  a  (Jod,  and  tiiat  he  is  a  God  of  truth  }' 
They  said,  '  We  do/  1  answered,  '  1 
cannot  believe  you,  I  tell  you  plainly.' 
'  Why  so  ?'  I  i-eplied,  '  1  cannot  think  that 
any  man  of  common  understanding,  who 
believes  that  God  is  true,  dares  take  his 
name  in  vain  ;  much  less  do  you  believe 
that  God  can  hear  yoiv.  when  you  pray 
him  to  damn  your  souls.  Now  suppose 
God  should  grant  you  the  damnation  you 
pray  for,  what  miserable  wretches  would 
you  be  ?  Do  you  know  that  you  mus;  one 
day  appear  before  that  God,  who  will  not 
hold  him  guiltless  that  taketh  his  name  in 
vain.' 

As  I  reasoned  with  them  about  a  future 
state,  they  seemed  to  shrink  as  if  I  hud 
thrown  fire  at  them  ;  but  they  soon  put 
away  the  conviction,  and  said,  '  You  must 
not  preach  here,  for  you  are  tlclivered  to 
us  for  a  soldier  '  and  must  not  talk  so  to 
us  that  are  officers  '  1  answered,  'There 


■  way  to  prevent  inc.'  They  ask- 
[at  is  that.'  I  replied,  '  !t  is  to 
t  mure  in  my  hearing.' 


THE   JOUKNllL  OF 


'I'hen  we  were  guarded  throi;gh  thfe  ci- 
ty ;  jjjut  it  was  as  li'  hell  were  moved  from 
beneath  to  nTeet  me  at  my  comit)^.  TJie 
streets  and  windows  were  filled  with  peo- 
ple who  shouted  and  huzzaed,  as  if  1  had 
been  one  that  had  laid  waste  the  nation. 
But  the  Lord  made  my  brow  like  brass, 
so  tiiat  1  could  look  on  them  as  giasshop- 
pers,  and  pass  thi  ough  the  city  as  if  there 
had  been  none  in  it,  but  God  and  myself. — 
()  that  I  may  never  offend  my  gracious 
(jod,  or  provoke  hiin  to  take  his  loving 
kindness  from  me  ! — Then,  though  I  go 
through  the  valley  uf  the  shadow  of  death, 
I  will  fear  no  evil.  Even  now  1  find  his 
word  fulfilled,  where  he  saitli,  '  1  will  de- 
liver thee  from  sudden  fear,  and  from  ter- 
ror ;  for  it  shall  not  come  near  thee.'  Veri- 
ly, thou  art  a  God  of  truth  !  O  be  merci- 
ful to  this  great  city,  whose  streets  ring 
with  curses,  and  turn  upon  them  a  pure 
language,  that  their  souls  may  be  saved, 
and  the  enemy  disaf.pointed  of  his  hope  ! 

{  was  brought  to  tiie  guai  d-house,  and  the 
olficcrs  cast  lots  for  me,  and  it  was  Cap- 
tain S  's  lot  to  have  me.    'I'hen  they 

oliered  me* money,  but  1  refused  to  take  it  ; 
and  they  bade  the  serjcaut  hand-cuff  me. 


thither  by  a  file  of  jnusfiuetcers,  but  not 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


IS? 


part  of  three  days  ;  during  wliiclTTime, 
1  was  beset  with  such  cursers  and  car- 
ers, as  could  hardly  be  matched  out  of 
hell.  So  I  had  work,  enough  both  day 
and  night  to  reprove  them,  1  found  they 
could  not  stand  my  words,  but  the  most 
hardened  among  them  shrunk,  and  wished 
Ihey  could  leave  it  off,  and  never  swear 
more. 

Several  of  the  town's  people  came  and 
asked  me  of  the  doctrine  that  the  Metho- 
dists preached,  which  makes  their  names, 
said  they,  to  be  loathed  by  all  sects  and 
parties  in  the  nation.  My  answer  was, 
•'The  same  doctrine  it  is,  which  made 
Jews  and  Gentiles  conspire  against  Jesus 
Christ,  who  first  preached  it  ;  and  whoe- 
ver he  be,  that  bears  the  same  testimony, 
tnust  meet  witii  the  same  treatment.  Our 
Lord  hath  said.  *Ye  shall  be  hated  of  ail 
men  for  my  sake.'  And  again,  'If  they 
have  persecuted  me,  they  will  also  perse- 
cute you.'  What  !  Do  you  think  Christ 
would  be  found  a  liar,  and  all  his  apostleb, 
who  told  us  of  the  things  that  are  done  in 
this  our  day  '  Nay,  verily,  heaven  and 
earth  ^hall  pass  away,  but  not  one  word 
of  Christ's  shall  fall  to  the  Ground.' 

When  I  had  opened  the  scriptures,  and 
told  them  the  fundamental  points  of  our 
doctrine,  they  said  one  to  another,  'This 
people  is  not  what  the  world  represent? 


M  S 


IhflBfr 

is  nora  n 


THE  JOURNAL  (Xf 


thfll^l^r  if  this  be  their  doctrine,  there 
man  in  England  can  contradict 
them/  They  offered  me  strong  drink, 
but  I  told  them  I  did  not  chuse  it,  wished 
me  out  of  my  enemies  hands,  and  left  me 
to  my  company  of  drunkards  and  swear- 
ers. 

I  may  indeed  say,  I  have  fought  with 
beasts  at  York,  for  so  these  men  live  ; 
yet  my  speaking  to  them  was  not  in  vain  ; 
for  they  bridled  their  tongues  in  my  pre- 
sciice  after  the  first  24  hours.  When  they 
spake  any  blasphemous  words,  if  I  did 
but  turn,  and  look  them  in  the  face,  they 
looked  like  criminals  before  the  magis- 
trate. 

'I'he  next  morning  I  lay  on  the  boards 
to  rest  me,  and  fell  asleep,  when  I  dreamt 
of  Daniel  in  the  lion's  den  I  was  awaken- 
ed by  one  crying.  '  Nelson  !  Nelson  !'  and 
I  started  up,  saying,  *  Who  wants  me  ?' 
That  instant,  three  women  came  to  the 
door,  and  brought  me  some  food.  They 
were  entire  strangers  to  me,  and  I  to 
them  ;  '  But  thou,  Lord,  carest  for  me.' 

On  Tuesday  night,  my  wife  and  sister 
Mitchel  came  to  see  me,  and  found  me  ly- 
ing on  the  boards.  I  said,  'Behold  the 
fruits  of  the  gospel :  Now  you  see  the 
word  of  God  isfulHIled,  '  They  lay  a  snare 
for  him  that  repioveth  in  the  gate,  and  he 
that  turneth  from  evil,  maketh  himself 
a  prey.'    But  God  looks  down  from  hea- 


Ven,  and  will  plead  our  cause  ; 


MB.   JOHN  rtELSOU. 


130 
%t.' 


No,  answered  they,  \vc  do  not  fear  ;  for 
our  God  is  as  able  to  deliver  now,  as  he 
was  1700  years  ago.'  So  they  took  their 
leave  ol' me  that  night,  wishing  me  a  good 
repose  on  my  wooden  bed  ;  where,  thanks 
be  to  God,  J  slept  as  well  as  if  1  had  been 
on  a  bed  of  down. 

Next  morning  they  brought  me  some- 
thing to  eat,  and  bade  me  be  strong  in 
the  Lord,  and  not  fear  them  that  can  kill 
the  body  only.  My  heart  rejoiced  to  see 
them  so  stedfast  in  the  failh. 

This  day  a  court  martial  was  held,  and 
I  was  guarded  to  it  by  a  file  ofniHsque- 
teers,  with  their  bayonets  fixed.  When 
1  came  beiorethe  court,  they  asked,  'What 
is  this  man's  crime?'  The  aiiswer  was, 
♦This  is  the  Methodist  Preacher,  and  he 
refuses  to  take  money.'  Then  they  turned 
to  me,  and  said,  '  Sir,  you  need  not  find 
fault  with  us,  for  we  must  obey  our  or- 
ders, which  are  to  make  you  act  as  a  sol- 
dier ;  for  you  are  delivered  to  us,  and  if 
^ou  have  not  justice  done  you>  we  cannot 
help  it.' 

My  answer  was,  '  I  shall  not  fight ;  for 
1  cannot  bow  my  knee  before  the  Lord,  to 
pray  lor  a  man.  and  get  up  and  kill  birn 
when  1  have  done  ;  for  I  know  God  both 
hears  me  speak  and  sees  me  act,  and  I 
shouldexpect  the  lot  of  a  hypocrite,  ifmy 
actions  contradict  my  prayers.'    '  Well, 


ind  preaching  to  us,  said  tliey,  for 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


we  must  make  you  obey  us  ;  Serjeant, 
give  him  some  money/  He  ofiered  mc 
two  shillings,  but  I  refused  to  take  it. 
They  threatened  ine  sore,  but  I  could  not 
fear  them  at  all,  'Well,  (said  they)  if 
you  run  away,  you  are  as  liable  to  suffer 
as  if  you  had  taken  our  money.'  I  answer- 
ed, '  if  1  cannot  be  discharged  lawfully,  I 
fchall  not  run  awaj' ;  if  I  do,  puniih  nie.  as 
you  please.'  Then  they  ordered  the  s^er- 
jeant  to  go  to  quarters  with  me  :  \\  ho 
iook  me  to  the  Wild-man,  in  Petergatc, 
where  the  people  bcliaved  well  to  me, 
though  they  had  eiglit  more  quartered  up- 
on them.  They  said,  '  !t  is  a  pity  you 
«b  .  ild  come  among  siicli  a  wicked  crew 
as  these  we  have,  lor  tliere  are  but  few 
Jike  tJiem  in  the  world.'  They  ordered 
me  a  room  and  a  bed  to  myself  iilessed 
be  God,  who  gives  me  favour  in  the  sight 
of  the  Egyptians.  These  people  were  j)ro- 
icssed  Papists,  who,  I  might  imagine, 
•.vould  sJiew  no  more  mercy  to  a  man  that 
preaches  salvation  by  faith,  than  they 
■woiilcl  di)  to  a  mad  dog,  yet  1  see  it  is  not 
the  man  that  makes  the  christian,  but  the 
mind  wliich  was  in  C'Jirist,  and  whoso- 
ever hath  this  mind  in  Jiiiii,  he  is  a  chris- 
tian, let  the  world  call  him  what  they 
will. 

i  came  to  Margaret  Townsliend's,  and 
met  with  my  « il'e,  and  sister  Mitche!, 


ME.   JOHN   NELSON.  141 

who  rejoiced  to  see  feet  once  mo^l^ont 
of  the  prison.  We  sang  praises  to  God 
for  his  great  mercies  to  mc  at  liiis  titne, 
and  passed  t!u'  afternoon  in  encouraging 
eac!i  other.  Next  morning  1  sent  tiieiu 
out  of  town,  and  wev.t,  as  i  was  ordered, 
to  i)aradc  at  the  Blue  Boar,  inCastlcgate 
where  tlie  officers  ordered  corporal  \V  — 
to  fetch  ine  a  gun  and  other  warlike  iu- 
Btrumer.ts,  and  though  he  seemed  to  shud- 
der at  the  task,  he  was  forced  to  obey; 
and  when  he  brought  them,  and  was  gird- 
ing them- about  me.  he  trembled  as  if  he 
had  the  palsy 

i  asked,  '  Why  do  you  gird  me  with 
these  warlike  habiliments,  for  I  am  a  man 
averse  to  war,  and  shall  not  fight,  but  un- 
der the  Prince  of  Peace,  the  Captain  of 
my  salvation  ;  and  the  weapons  he  gives 
me  are  not  carnal  like  these.'  Well,  (said 
they,)  but  you  must  bear  these,  till  you 
can  get  your  discharge.'  As  you  put  them 
on  mc,  1  answered,  I  will  bear  them  as  a 
cross,  and  use  them  as  far  as  lean,  with- 
out defiling  my  conscience  ;  but  that  I  w  ill 
not  do  for  any  man  on  earth.' 

The  o/licers  bade  them  march  us  off  to 
Hepuorth  moor,  to  learn  the  exercise  of  a 
soldier;  But  Corporal  W — seemed  as  ten- 
der to  mc  as  if  he  had  been  my  own  fa- 
ther, and  carried  the  gun  for  me  to  the 
field.  And  when  he  came  to  teach  ine 
'i  ir  exercise,  his  heart  seemed  to  fail 


14S 


THE    JOURNAL  OT 


hirrt;  anil  lie  bade  me  lay  down  the  gaily 
and  we  loll  into  discourse.  I  found  he  had 
the  fear  oi'  God  before  his  eyes,  and  the 
Lord  had  shewn  him  the  light  of  his  coun- 
tenance. But  be  was  as  a  sparrov.'  alone 
on  the  house  fop,  none  cared  for  his  con- 
versation ;  but  they  all  despised  him,  be- 
cause he  wOuld  not  get  drunk  and  sWear 
as  they  did.  C),  my  God,  remember  hira 
for  good  always,  1  beseech  thee. 

Kcct  day  1  was  ordered  to  the  fields 
and  others  must  teach  me  the  warlike  ex- 
ercise, who  also  behaved  civilly  to  me.  1 
had  more  to  see  me  than  all  the  rest,  and 
it  caused  the  truth  to  break  out  the  more, 
and  removed  prejudice  from  many.  I 
ibund  the  people  at  York  looked  upon  one 
that  is  called  a  Methodist,  as  one  who  had 
the  plague,  and  infects  all  whom  he  comes 
near,  and  they  blessed  God,  that  none  hadi 
come  to  preach  there. 

But  if  I  was  bound,  the  word  of  God 
■was  not  bound,  for  if  any  blasphemed,  ]p 
reproved  them,  whether  rich  or  poor,  and 
fell  into  many  disputes  with  them,  and 
God  gave  me  words,  such  as  they  could 
jiot  resist.  My  discourses  had  such  an 
cllect  on  them,  that  they  said,  they  wish- 
ed Mr.  Wesley  would  con)e  and  preach 
there.  1  gave  them  several  of  our  little 
books,  so  by  hearing  and  reading,  they 
found  out  the  doctrine  to  be  only  the  plain 
word  of  God.    And  now  several  attended 


MR.   JOHN   NELSON.  143 

tny  coming  to  the  field,  not  to  see  me  as 
telbre,  but  to  ask  questions,  and  to  know 
of  the  new  doctrine,  (as  some  were  pleas- 
ed to  call  it.)  Surely  by  all  Ihese  things 
shall  the  gospel  be  spread.  The  Lord  is 
in  the  tempest,  and  it  shall  turn  to  his  glo- 
ry :  Satan  doth  but  whet  a  knife  to  cut  his 
own  throat. 

One  day  as  I  was  talking  to  the  people, 
a  man  came  and  feigned  himself  to  be  con- 
cerned about  his  soul.  As  he  was  coming, 
it  was  impressed  upon  my  mind,  that  he 
was  a  deceiver.  As  soon  as  he  approach- 
ed. 1  said,  •  You  are  a  wicked  man,  and 
Satan  hath  sent  you  with  a  lie  in  your 
mouth,  but  God  will  not  be  mocked/"  He 
went  away  as  one  condemned.  Before  he 
had  gone  one  hundred  yards,  he  fell  dowa 
and  broke  a  limb,  and  dislocated  his 
shoulder;  then  he  roared  like  a  bear, 
saying,  ♦  It  is  a  just  jiulgment  from  God 
on  me  ;  and  desired  me  to  pray  for  him.' 

On  Sunday  the  13th,  I  went  to  Coney- 
street  church,  and  the  Lord  manifested 
himself  to  me  in  great  love  at  the  sacra- 
ment. At  night  Hannah  Scholefield  and 
I,  and  our  brother  Haiighton,  from  Ma/i- 
ciiester,  with  two  or  three  more,  went 
out  into  the  fields,  thinking  to  retire  : 
But  some  had  seen  us,  and  told  others  that 
we  were  gone  to  sing  hymns.  In  a  few 
minutes  we  had  near  a  hundred  to  keep 
"..s  company.    We  sang  two  hymns,  ajmi; 


THE  JOURNAt  or 


I  gave  them  an  exl)ortation  :  They  rc\ 
ceived  my  word  with  meekness,  and  wish- 
ed to  hear  me  again. 

We  went  a  mile  another  way,  but  there 
were  people  walking  there  also,  who  knew 
me,  and  llockcd  to  us,  and  desir;;d  to  hear 
what  sort  of  doctrine  it  is  we  preach, 
which  causes  all  men  to  hate  us.  1  said, 
"it  is  the  doctrii;e  ol"  Jesus  Christ,  which 
made  all  men  hate  him  ;  and  ye  are  sen- 
sible our  great  Sliepiicrd  said,  "Ye  shall 
be  hated  of  all  men  for  my  sake.'  But 
they  said,  '  This  is  a  christian  land,  and 
it  is  not  so  now.'  '  Well  said  I,  then  you 
must  say  the  gospel  is  not  an  everlasting 
gospel,  or  you  declare  us  blest,  and  almost 
all  the  psople  in  England  curst.'  They 
said,  'What,  do  you  point  the  blessings  to 
you,  and  the  curse  to  all  the  rest  >  VVe 
think  it  is  tlie  other  way.'  Then  said  1, 
you  do  not  think  as  Christ  spake  ;  for  he 
said,  'Blessed  are  yc,  when  all  men  speak 
evil  of-you,  and  hate  you  for  my  sake,  and 
the  gospel's  :  Rejoice,  and  be  exceeding 
glad,  for  so  they  did  to  the  prophets  of 
old.  But  woe  unto  you  when  all  men 
speak  well  of  you  ;  for  so  they  spake  of 
the  false  prophets.'  Upon  this  they  were 
silent,  but  wished  they  could  hear  me 
themselves,  then  they  could  judge  better. 
By  this  time  a  great  company  were  come 
together,  desiring  to  hear  me,  and  God 
n^ye  me  to  speak  plain>  and  to  their 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON, 


14o 


hearts.  When  I  had  done,  several  of 
them  said,  they  would  go  ten  miles  to  hear 
such  another  discourse.  The  prejudice 
seemed  taken  out  of  their  minds  at  a 
stroke  ;  and  they  cried,  'This  is  the  doc- 
trine which  ought  to  be  preached,  let  men 
say  what  they  will  against  it  ' 

As  wc  came  back,  one  of  our  company 
said,  'I  wonder  l]ie  devil  cannot  perceive, 
that  this  striving  to  suppress  the  gospel  is 
still  striving  to  quench  the  lire  by  casting 
oil  into  it.  As  God  spake,  so  it  is  I  see 
this  day.  His  servants  are  like  brands 
of  fire  cast  into  dry  stubble.  Surely  God 
will  be  glorified  in  your  captivity  ;  only  let 
us  watch  and  pray,  that  the  enemy  get  no 
advantage  over  us.' 

The  day  following  I  went  as  before,  to 
exercise,  when  many  came  to  talk  with 
me,  some  to  dispute,  and  some  who  ear- 
nestly desired  to  be  saved.  Among  the 
disputers  was  a  clergyman  ;  I  knew  him, 
for  I  had  seen  him  in  his  gown  three  days 
before.  When  several  who  appeared  as 
gentlemen,  disputed  hotly  against  all  the 
power  of  religion,  I  shewed  them  from 
the  articles,  homilies,  and  prayers  of  our 
own  church,  that  these  who  spake  as  they 
did,  were,  no  members  of  the  church  of 
England.  For  to  be  a  real  member  of 
Christ's  church,  is  to  feel  Christ  in  us  ;to 
know  that  he  died  for  his  church,  and 
that  by  his  death  we  are  delivered  from 
N 


146 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


death  eternal.  To  find  that  spirit  which  , 
raised  him  from  the  dead,  raising  us  from  < 
the  death  of  sin,  that  our  bodies  may  be 
the  undefiled  temple  of  the  living  God,  a  , 
holy  habitation  of  God,  through  his  spirit  i 
dwelling  in  us.    Tor  as  many  as  have  the  I 
spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God  ;  j 
and  if  any  man  have   not  the   spirit  of  i 
Christ,  he  is  none  of  ids.    Nay,  if  you  ! 
know  not,  (I  added,)  that  Christ  is  in 
you,  you  are  now  in  a  state  of  reprobation.' 
'  So,  said  they,  you  have  condemned  us 
all  at  a  stroke.    1  answered,  '  1  have  con- 
demned no  man  ;  for  i  liave  not  spoken 
my  own,  but  the  words  of  God,  as  1  appeal 
to  your  consciences,  you  that  have  ever 
read  them  ' 

Wlien  (hey  were  put  to  silence,  the 
minister  began  to  explain  the  spirit  of  God 
out  of  the  M'orld  ;  as  what  could  not  be 
felt  or  perceived  at  all,  neither  was  it  ne- 
cessary, now  we  had  the  scriptures  to  go 
by.  1  said,  *  It  is  highly  necessary,  if  the 
scriptures  be  true  ,  for  they  tell  me,  if  I 
have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  I  am  none  of 
his  ;  and  if  1  am  not  his,  1  must  belong  to 
the  devil;  for  they  two  share  the  world 
between  them  Besides,  if  thcie  be  no 
such  thing  as  receiving  the  holy  spirit  now 
a-dayt-,  as  you  say,  then  he  who  repeats  the 
prayers  of  the  church,  oflisrs  to  God  the  sa- 
crifice of  fools.'  Here  he  stormed  at  me, 
an^  called  me  an  enthiisiRst,  and  eaid. 


MR.  JOHN  K8LS0K.  147 

'  i'o  talk  of  the  spirit  is  all  a  delusion.' 
•  Hold,  sir,  I  replied,  or  1  shall  expose  voii 
betbre  the  people,  which  I  did  not  design 
to  do.  Hovr  could  you  affirm,  before  God 
and  the  congregation,  that  you  were  in- 
wardly moved  by  the  holy  spirit  to  take 
upon  you  the  office  of  a  deacon  ;  and  now 
testify  there  is  no  such  thing  as  being  mov- 
ed by  the  holy  spirit  ?'  He  said  '  Did 
I  say  so  ?'  'Yes,  sir,  I  answered,  you  did 
whenjou  received  holy  orders.'  He  turn- 
ed pale,  spake  not  ten  words  more,  but 
went  away,  1  have  met  him  several  times 
since,  -and  he  speaks  kindly  to  me. 

I  had  some  every  day  to  dii^iute  with 
■  me  ;  and  every  night  some  to  converse 
with  me,  and  wanted  to  know  the  way  to 
Sion.  The  people  now  cried  out.  'When 
will  Mr.  Wesley  come  ?  for  here  are  thou- 
sands in  this  town  would  gladly  hear  hi:n.' 
Indeed  I  found  a  great  desire  in  tliem  to 
know  the  way  of  salvation  ;  yea,  and  they 
seemed  willing  to  be  saved  in  Cod's  own 
way  ;  that  is,  from  their  sins,  not  in  them. 
Surely  the  Lord  will  be  mindful  of  them, 
and  give  them  teachers  after  his  own 
lieavt. 

The  second  Sunday  I  went  to  church 
and  my  heart  was  comforted  again  by  the 
love  of  God  in  the  sacrament.  God,  1  find 
will  meet  us  in  his  own  ways  ;  O  may  we 
never  forsake  them  ! 

This  week  several  of  the  brethren  came 


U8  THE  JOURNAL  OF 

to  see  me,  and  we  were  comforted  toge- 
ther. Our  brother  Ash  brought  me  some 
little  books,  which  I  gave  to  the  people 
who  came  to  see  me:  So  that  hy  my  speak- 
ing, and  their  reading,  many  began  to  be 
alarmed,  and  sent  for  me  to  their  houses 
to  enquire  '  How  can  these  things  be, 
whicli  you  affirm  ?  For  if  these  tilings  are 
as  you  say,  and  Mr.  Wesley  has  here  writ- 
ten, then  we  are  not  Christians.'  I  told 
them,  '  I  will  prove  those  things  to  be  true, 
both  from  our  own  church  and  the  writ- 
ten word  of  God.  And  if  you  find  you 
have  not  these  inward  marks  of  faith, 
such  as  peace,  joy,  love,  and  the  witness 
of  the  spirit,  you  are  no  christians  yet ;  but 
that  is  no  reason  why  you  should  not  be- 
come such.  For  Christ  has  commanded 
repentance  and  remission  of  sins  to  be 
preached  to  every  soul  in  his  name  ;  and 
he  doth  actually  pardon  and  absolve  all 
them  that  truly  repent,  and  unfeignedly 
believe  his  holy  gospel.  Therefore  seek 
and  you  shall  find  ;  for  the  truih  of  God 
binds  him  to  give  to  every  one  that  auk- 
cth.' 

The  people  attended  my  going  into  the 
field  all  this  week  ;  and  when  I  went  along 
the  streets  they  came  out  of  their  houses 
to  stare  at  me,  as  if]  had  been  a  monster. 
I  have  read  that  they  would  not  suffer  any 
lo  buy  or  sell  in  the  city,  unless  they  had 
the  mark  of  the  beast ;  but  J»ere,  without 


MR.   JOHN  NBLEO^^. 


149 


his  mark,  we  cannot  so  much  as  pass  the 
streets  O  my  God,  why  is  thy  servant  as 
a  speckled  bird  in  this  which  is  called  a 
christian  country,  called  after  thy  most 
sacred  name  ;  which  whosoever  nameth 
must  depart  from  iniquity  ?  How  is  the 
faithful  city  become  a  harlot,  and  thy  peo- 
ple taken  captive  by  the  enemy  at  his 
will  !  It  is  time  lor  thee,  Lord,  to  lay  to 
thine  hand,  far  they  have  destroyed  thy 
law  ! 

One  day  this  week  after  my  exercise  on 
the  Moor,  there  came  a  gentleman  in  gold 
lace,  and  a  minister  in  disguise,  and  be- 
gan asking  me  questions  ;  which  I  answer- 
ed according  to  the  ability  God  gave  me. 
Many  flocked  round  about  us  to  hear,  lor 
our  dispute  was  long,  and  hot  on  their 
side.  1  believe  we  had  talked  Jialf  an 
hour  before  I  perceived  he  was  a  mini- 
ster ;  for  1  took  him  for  a  lawyer,  and 
such  a  one  as  believed  there  was  no  God  : 
for  if  I  spake  of  the  scripture,  he  threw  up 
his  head,  and  called  me  fool,  and  bade  mc 
hold  my  nonsense.  1  said,  '  That  which 
you  call  nonsense,  I  call  the  highest  wis- 
dom.' When  I  spake  any  thing  of  the 
spirit  of  God,  he  heaved  his  cane  at  me, 
as  if  he  would  have  struck  me.  But  God 
gave  me  perfect  peace  in  my  soul,  and 
words  which  made  him  start,  and  convinc- 
ed the  bye-stauders  of  the  truth.    He  was 

N  S 


1 

J 


150  THE  JOURNAL  OF 

SO  enraged,  that  he  foamed  at  the  mouth 
like  a  horse  that  is  hard  rid. 

But  when  1  understood  that  he  was  a 
minister,  'I  said,  'Hold,  sir,  let  me  speak 
a  little  by  your  leave.  You  call  yourself 
a  minister  of  the  church  of  England,  do 
you  not  'I  do.*  '  Pray  then.  Sir,  what 
doctrine  do  you  preach  >  for  you  make  the 
word  of  God  of  none  effect,  and  you  denj 
all  inspiration.',  He  replied,  "  So  I  do  deny 
all  inspiration  '  '  How  dare  you  then  pray 
for  the  inspiration  of  God's  spirit,  when 
you  do  not  believe  there  is  any  such  thing  }' 
When  he  had  raged  awhile,  he  said,  '  I 
believe  you  have  read  the  book  of  Job, 
and  made  it  all  your  own.'  *  1  answered, 
I  have  need  of  patience,  who  have  men  of 
such  principles  as  you  to  talk  with,  that 
regard  not  what  they  say  to  provoke  one  ; 
but  1  thank  God,  you  have  not  done  it 
yet.'  He  replied,  ♦  My  reason  for  speak- 
ing so  is,  because  you  cannot  be  quiet  with 
your  nonsense  and  inspiration.  And  I 
hear  you  have  preached  several  times  since 
you  came,  and  have  filled  the  heads  of 
many  in  this  town  with  your  new  doctrine.' 
I  told  him,  '  I  had  not  preached  publickly 
since  I  came,  but  did  not  know  how  soon 
I  might.'  Then  he  shook  his  stick,  stampt 
and  said  in  anger,  '  If  you  do  preach  pub- 
lickly, we  shall  take  an  order  with  you. 
which  shall  be  worse  than  sending  you  lor  a 
soldier.  '  Let  God  look  to  that,  1  answer- 
ed, for  by  bis  grace  I  can  love  all  men,  but 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


fear  none  that  can  kill  the  body  only.  I 
assure  you,  it  is  not  the  tear  of  man  which 
shall  hinder  me  from  preaching  .  for  where 
the  spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty.' 
When  he  began  to  calm  a  little,  I  asked 
him, '  Sir,  suppose  you  had  been  in\rardly 
moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  preach  the 
gospel  ;  if  the  outward  ordination  were 
refused  you,  when  you  believed  yourself 
called  according  to  the  will  of  Christ  to 
preach,  would  you  forbear  preaching  ? 
that  is,  would  you  obey  man  or  God  >'  '  I 
suppose,  said  he,  you  think  you  have  put  a 
hard  question  to  me.'  But  hard  or  easy, 
he  never  answered  it  ;  and  I  cannot  re- 
member I  e  rer  saw  him  since.  Just  as  he 
■went  away,  he  challenged  me  to  go  into  a 
room  with  him  ;  but  I  said,  '  I  have  done 
fighting.  Sir.' 

On  Saturday,  several  desired  me  to 
preach  on  Sunday  morning.  I  told  them 
1  should  take  a  walk  out  to  the  Moor,  at 
half  an  hour  after  seven.  Accordingly  I 
did  so,  and  found  thrice  as  many  as  1  ex- 
pected, and  preached  to  about  three  hun- 
dred well  behaved  people,  who  intreated 
1)^  to  preach  to  them  at  night.  I  answer- 
ed some  of  them,  1  did  not  know  but  I 
miglit.  Yet  I  gave  no  public  notice  ;  but 
one  \o\A  another,  and  it  spread  through 
the  city.  \ 

1  weut  to  the  minster,  and  heard  the 
bishop  preach,  and  received  the  blessed 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


sacrament  athis  hands.  At  seven  in  the 
evening,  I  went  to  the  Moor,  and  found  an 
unexpected  congregation,  I  believe  six 
thousand  people.  But  there  was  nothing 
prepared  for  me  to  stand  on,  and  great  part 
of  the  soldiers  were  there  almost  drunk, 
and  began  to  quarrel  with  the  people  that 
crowded  me  :  So  that  I  saw  there  was 
likely  to  be  mischief  done,  and  prevented 
it  by  withdrawing.  If  I  had  preached,  I 
believe  they  would  have  behaved  very  qui- 
etly, for  they  seemed  to  have  a  great  de- 
sire to  hear  what  this  doctrine  was.  I 
had  not  the  opportunity  of  satisfying  them 
at  this  time  ;  but  they  that  heard  in  the 
morning,  told  others,  and  inllamed  them 
the  more  with  a  desire  to  hear  for  them- 
selves. Several  sent  for  me  to  their  hous- 
es, and  others  came  to  me  :  So  I  see  God 
will  work,  and  who  shall  hinder  Lord, 
open  their  understanding,  that  they  may 
know  the  things  which  belong  to  their 
everlasting  peace  ! 

On  Monday  I  heard,  that  some  clergy- 
men were  with  the  officers  :  and,  at  night, 
one  of  the  officers  sent  for  me,  and  said, 
•  what,  you  cannot  leave  oil'  prcacliiiig 
yet  ;  but  we  must  be  blamed  about  you. 
But  if  ever  you  preach  publickly  again, 
you  shall  be  severely  whipped.'  My  an- 
swer was,  •  I  am  not  careful  in  this  mat- 
ter. It  is  better  to  obey  God  than  man  !  I 
belieye  it  is  the  will  of  God  that  I  should 


SIR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


U3 


preach.  And  I  have  not  taken  man  to 
please  in  any  thing  that  will  ofrend  my 
God.' 

With  many  threats  he  bade  me  go  :  but 
I  made  no  promi-se  to  obey  him  ,  neither  did 
I  intend  it  in  this  case  ;  (or  I  had  promis- 
ed to  go  to  Acham,  a  village  about  a  mile 
out  of  York  :  The  next  evening  accord- 
ingly I  went  and  preached  to  almost  all 
the  inhabitants  in  a  field.  The  Lord  gave 
me  to  speak  his  word  freely,  and  sent  it 
with  power  to  their  hearts.  The  rock 
was  struck,  and  the  water  gushed  out. — 
All  whom  I  saw  behaved  well.  Many  said. 
•  We  hope  you  will  come  again  ;  '  For  let 
men  say  what  they  will  of  this  people, 
this  is  the  truth,  and  so  we  shall  find  it 
one  day.  * 

As  1  came  down  the  street,  an  alderman 
and  his  wife,  of  York,  who  had  been  to 
hear  me,  were  standing  at  the  gate  of  his 
house,  and  he  called  me,  and  said,  '  if  you 
please  to  accept  of  a  glass  of  any  sort  of  li- 
quor my  house  .iftbrds,  it  is  at  your  ser- 
vice ;■  I  answered,  '  I  thank  you  for  your 
good  will,  but  i  don't  care  to  drink.'  Se- 
veral others  ofTered  me  drink,  but  I  took 
none.  They  prayeil  ine  to  come  once  a 
week,  as  long  as  :  stayed  in  York  Lord, 
be  mindful  of  this  people  1  beseech  thee, 
and  send  them  these  who  will  preach  righ- 
teousness by  laith  in  Jesus  Christ  ;  and  () 
that  they  may  be  found  with  the  wedding 


i64. 


THE   JOURNAL  OP 


garment  in  that  day,  when  every  cover- 
ing which  is  not  ofthy  spirit,  will  be  found 
as  filthy  rags  before  thy  pure  eyes  ! 

All  th.it  week  I  had  company  as  much 
as  I  could  tell  what  to  do  with.  Several 
c?esired  me  to  |>reach  on  Sunday  morning. 
1  did  not  promise,  but  went  to  discourse 
with  about  a  score,  at  seven,  on  the  Moor. 
Others  had  a  suspicion  of  my  being  here, 
and  I  believe  two  hundred  Hocked  round 
me,  as  soon  as  they  saw  rne  walking, 
and  begged  me  to  preach  to  them  ;  I  told 
them  .  stood  in  jeopardy  if  I  did  •,  but 
they  answered,  '  VVe  are  more  i'l  dan- 
ger than  you,  I'or  our  souls  are  in  danger 
on  which  itcame  into  ray  mind  that  I  had 
i'rrtly  received,  and  ought  freely  to  give, 
Wai-iefore  I  preached  to  them,  and  God 
was  with  us  of  a  truth,  and  the  hearts  of  the 
people  were  opened  to  receive  the  word  ia 
love. 

Thence  I  went  to  sister  Townshend's, 
where  I  found  my  own  brother,  and  bro- 
ther Mitchell  who  came  to  see  me  ;  and  we 
were  co  nfortcd  together  Our  time  was 
short,  for  ;  had  but  half  an  hour,  before  I 
was  to  answer  for  what  I  had  done  -  Some- 
body had  told  the  ensign  that  1  had  been 
preachiiig  ;  so  he  sent  for  me  and  said, 
'  d — n  your  blood,  sir,  have  you  been 
preaching  this  morning  ?'  i  told  him  1 
had  ;  on  which  he  swore  he  would  have  no 
preaching  nor  praying  in  the  regiment. 


KR.    JOHN  NELSON 


15') 


Theu  said  I,  'Sir,  You  ought  to  have  no 
swearing  or  cursing  neither  ;  lor  surely  1 
have  as  much  right  to  pray  and  preach 
as  you  have  to  curse  and  swear.' 

He  swore  again  that  I  should  be  damnably 
whipped  for  what  I  had  done.  I  answered, 
'  Let  God  loolc  to  that  ;  the  cause  is  his. 
But  if  you  do  not  leave  ofFyour  cursing  and 
swearing,  it  will  be  worse  with  you  than 
with  nie.'  Then  he  said,  '  Corporal,  put 
this  lellow  in  prison  lircctly.'  The  Cor- 
poral said,  *  Sir,  I  must  not  carry  a  mau 
to  prison,  unless  1  give  in  his  crime  with 
him  '  Well,  said  he,  it  is  for  disobeying 
orders.  So  I  see  a  hundred  may  disobey 
all  the  orders  of  God,  and  there  is  no  no- 
tice taken  of  them  :  nor  do  the  common 
people  cry  out,  '  Hang  them  out  of  the 
way  ;'  but  ifoneofa  thousand  begins  to 
reprove  them  for  sin,  they  haul  him  to  pri- 
son, as  if  he  had  killed  father  or  mother. 
But  so  it  was  from  the  beginning  ;  for  a 
murderer  was  preferred  before  the  prince 
of  life. 

I  was  put  prisoner  just  as  the  church 
s&rvice  began,  and  I  sent  a  man  to  tell  my 
brother,  that  the  word  of  God  was  fulfil- 
led, '  Behold,  the  devil  shall  cast  some  of 
you  into  prison,  that  ye  may  be  tried  and 
desired  their  prayers  that  •  might  be  faith- 
ful unto  death. — As  soon  as  1  was  within 
the  prison,  my  heart  was  filled  with  joy 
unspeakable,  aad  my  raouthwith  praise  lo 


The  jovknal  of 


my  dear  redeemer.  This  shall  also  turn 
to  the  glory  of  God  ;  for  several  men  of 
good  report  heard  me  this  morning,  and 
testified  that  I  had  spoken  the  truth  ;  and 
they  would  not,  they  said,  be  guilty  of  send- 
ing that  man  to  prison,  for  preaciiing  for' 
all  the  world.  I'his  caused  many  to  come  to 
me,  who  offered  me  wine  and  strong  drink. 
I  told  them,  I  did  notcare  foranysortof 
strong  liquor  :  but  such  as  1  had,  gave  I 
unto  them  ;  some  little  books,  and  the  word 
of  God,  which  he  gave  me  plentifully  to 
speak  to  them,  without  respect  of  any 
jnan's  person. 

Two  nights  and  near  three  days,  I  was 
kept  prisoner  at  this  time  ;  during  which, 
my  soul  was  as  a  watered  garden  and  1 
could  sing  praises  to  God  all  day  long,  for 
he  turned  my  captivity  into  joy  ;  and  gave 
me  to  rest  as  well  on  the  boards,  as  if  1  had 
been  on  a  bed  of  down.  Now,  could  I  say 
'  Gods  service  is  perfect  freedom  and  I 
was  carried  out  much  in  prayer,  that  my 
enemies  might  drink  of  the  same  river  of 
peace,  which  my  God  gave  so  largely  to 
ine.' 

Now  did  I  more  plainly  see  the  dreadful 
state  of  the  unconverted  than  ever  ;  and 
thought,  if  it  might  be  the  conversion  of 
my  enemies,  I  could  be  content  that  they 
should  tread  me  under  their  feet.  But  God 
only  knov/8  how  it  would  have  been  had  I 
been  so  tried  :  yet  thus  far  he  hath  helped 


MB.  JOHN  NELSON. 


157 


me,  and  hatli  given  me  strength  for  my 
day  .  Indeed  I  l)ave  found  him  a  God  of 
truth,  as  far  as  I  have  tried  him  ;  and  I 
put  forth  the  hand  of  my  faith,  to  lay  hold 
of  his  strength  for  what  he  shall  next  call 
jiie  to. 

On  Tuesday  1  was  fetched  out  and  bro  t 
before  the  major.  There  were  several  of 
the  young  oliicers  with  him,  who  smiled 
when  I  came  into  the  room  ;  for  they  had 
been  several  times  to  see  me  in  piison, 
and  had  sworn  I  should  be  severely  whipt. 
But  I  told  them,  '  If  you  do  not  repent, 
and  leave  off  that  swearing,  you  will  pe- 
rish eternally  ;  And  I  shall  be  a  witness 
against  you  :  and  that  will  be  worse  than 
your  whipping  me  for  Christ's  sake. 

Now  they  seemed  to  rejoice,  as  if  their 


Major  called,  '  John  Nelson,  what  were 
you  put  in  prison  for  ?'  '  For  warning 
people  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  1 
answered,  and,  if  this  be  a  crime,  I  shall 
commit  it  again,  unless  you  cut  my  tongue 
out  for  it  is  better  to  die  than  to  disobey 
God.'  '  Well,  but  if  that  be  all,  he  repli- 
ed, it  is  no  crime  ;  for  when  you  have  done 
your  duty  I  do  not  care  if  you  preach 
every  night  in  a  house,  or  any  private 
place  out  of  the  town  ;  but  I  would  not 
have  youmake  any  mobs.'  'That  said  I,  is 
far  from  my  design.'  '  Well  said  he,  you 
may  go  home  to  your  quarters,  and  if  I 
O 


words  were 


to  be  fulfilled.  The 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


have  a  convenient  time,  1  will  send  for 
yoii,  and  hear  ^ou  nij'self;  fori  wish  all 
men  were  like  joii. '  Here  my  adversaries 
hung  down  their  heuds,  and  gave  off'smil- 
ing. 

As  1  went  to  sister's  Townshends  I 
heard  that  we  were  to  leave  York  on 
Thursday,  at  four  in  the  morning,  and 
march  to  fciunderland.  1  had  a  great  de- 
sire to  see  my  wile  fisrt  ;  but  she  did  not 
get  Illy  letter  soon  enough.  Many  of  the 
people  came,  and  said, '  VVe  are  sorry  you 
arc  going  so  soon  from  York  but  if  you 
get  voui-  liberty,  we  hope  both  you  and  Mr. 
Wesley  will  come  ;  for  we  have  need  of 
such  plain  dealing,  and  thousands  in  this 
city  would  lie  glad  lo  hear.  You  see  wliat 
a  populous  wicked  place  it  is  pray  do  not 
Ibrget  us,  but  tiiink  of  us,  when  you  see  us 
not.  W  e  expected  some  of  you  two  or 
three  years  ago  ;  but  you  had  no  regard 
lor  our  souls,  till  Cod  brought  you  by 
Ibrce.  Surely,  you  were  not  sold  hither, 
but  sent  lor  our  good  ;  therefore  forget  us 
not.' 

()  the  tenderness  which  this  people  shew- 
ed, and  desire  for  the  word  of  God  !  It 
moved  me  to  cry  out^  '  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  them,  and  let  them  hear  thy  gospel,  atid 
find  it  in  thy  power  unto  salvation  ;  for 
why  should  thy  people  perish  for  lack  of 
knowledge 

On  TJiursday  mororng  we  stood  two 


MR.    JOHN  NELSON. 


1.59 


hours  in  (he  streets,  before  we  set  out  of 
town.  We  inarche.i  to  Easing\\  ould  that 
day,  and  when  we  were  drawn  up  in  the 
street,  the  people  perceived  me  to  l)e  the 
Methodist  preacher  they  had  read  of  in  tiie 
newspapers.  They  told  one  another,  and 
flocked  about  me,  as  if  the  soldiers  had 
brought  a  monster  into  the  town. 

When  we  had  stayed  near  an  hour  in 
the  street,  1  and  five  more  were  billeted 
at  one  house,  where  the  people  were  so 
poor,  they  had  not  six  seats  for  us  to  sit 
on,  nor  any  beds  :  so  we  came  back  to  the 
officei''s  quarters,  and  they  ordered  four  of 
us  to  another  house. 

God  gave  me  to  speak  plain  to  them, 
and  several  of  their  neighbours,  who  came 
to  see  the  Methodist.  And  then  they 
said,  '  If  this  be  the  Methodist  doctrine, 
we  pray  (]od  we  may  have  it  preached  in 
this  town,  for  hundreds  would  be  glad  to 
hear  you.' 

In  the  evening  the  head  man  of  the  town 
came  in.  He  was  a  profest  papist,  but  a 
moral,  honest  man,  and  one  who  bears  a 
good  character  in  his  neighbourhood.  He 
asked  me  many  questions,  and  (iod  gave 
me  to  answer  him  to  his  satisfaction.  In- 
deed I  never  saw  a  man  of  his  rank  so 
teachable  and  humble.  His  gold  lace  did 
not  make  him  above  listening  to  the  gos- 
pel. He  seemed  a  man  of  sound  rear  en,  as 
well  as  of  a  liberal  education.  I  spak  }  neai- 


160 


THB   JOUBNAl  OF 


an  hour  to  yirove  the  doctrine  of  justifica- 
tion by  faith,  and  that  both  from  the  Old 
and  New-Testament  :  1  shewed  the  fruits 
of  that  justifying  faith,  and  the  necessity 
of  every  tnan's  having  it,  that  he  may 
escape  r,he  damnation  of  hei!.  The  word 
had  such  an  effect  upon  him,  that  his  eyes 
discovered  the  tenderness  of  his  heart — 
and  when  I  ended,  he  said,'  1  think  no 
man  in  his  senses  would  dare  hinder  you 
from  instructing  sinners  in  the  way  of  sal- 
vation. As  for  my  own  part  I  shall  be 
glad  to  see  you  at  liberty.  And  if  you  get 
clear  of  these  men,  and  come  again  this 
way,  1  would  hare  you  call  on  me,' 

1  was  amazed  to  find  such  a  man  a- 
mong  the  Papists,  having  met  with  very 
few,  either  teachers  or  hearers,  of  our  o'wa 
church,  but  what  hold  Popish  principles 
ten  times  stronger  than  this  man,  who 
calls  himself  a  Papist.  When  he  went  a- 
way,  he  forced  two  shillings  into  my  hand, 
which  I  would  have  returned,  telling  him 
I  received  no  money,  and  needed  none  ; 
but  he  would  not  take  it  again,  saying  he 
could  altbrd  it,  and  1  might  have  occasion 
for  it  on  my  journey.  O  God  be  merciful 
to  him,  that  gives  a  cup  of  cold  water  to 
thy  servants. 

Next  morning  at  two,  the  drum  beat  for 
us  to  march  out  of  town.  By  eleven  on 
Friday,  we  got  to  North-allerton  ;  and  by 
twelve,  settled  in  rjuartera.    I  went  into 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON.  1  0  f 

^.be  Market-place,  and  spoke  to  those  I 
found  there  of  the  way  of  salvation  ;  I 
hope  not  in  vain.  Afterwards,  as  I  was 
sitting  alone,  there  came  a  shop-keeper, 
and  said,  if  1  would  go  to  hi.s  house,  he 
would  give  me  a  glass  of  any  liquor  I  pleas- 
ed to  drink.  I  told  him  I  did  not  drink  any 
strong  liquor.  '  Well,  said  he,  I  desire 
your  company,  if  you  please,  lor  half  an 
hour.'  I  went  to  his  house,  and  drank 
tea  with  hirn  and  his  family,  and  spake 
plainly  to  them.  They  received  zny  exhor- 
tation with  thankfulness,  and  said,  W  c 
have  heard  much  of  you,  but  never  heard 
any  of  you  before  ;  several  of  you  have 
passed  through  this  town,  and  we  wonder 
they  have  never  preacl)>.d  here.  If  yoi; 
come  again,  we  hope  you  will  call  and  see 
us  '  I  gave  them  a  book,  and  returned  to 
iny  quarters. 

Next  morning  at  one,  the  drum  beat 
for  us  to  march,  and  we  got  <o  Darling 
ton  by  nine.  Here  I  was  known  to  several, 
and  by  them  made  known  to  almost  ali 
the  town.  Many  came  to  my  quarters  to 
talk  with  me,  and  others  sent  for  me. 
Whence  this  famine  in  the  land  ?  I  find 
the  people  hunger  after  the  word,  as  if 
there  were  no  Bibles  in  the  nation. 

We  rested  here  on  Sunday,  and  I  had 
many  to  see  me.    When  they  heard  wliaC 
our  doctrine  was,   they  cried,  '  It  is  a 
shame  to  send  a  man  for  a  soldier  for 
O  2 


162  THE  JOURNAL  OF 

speaking  the  truth;  for  let  all  men  say 
what  they  will,  this  is  the  gospel  of  Je- 
sus Christ/ 

In  the  evening,  one  of  the  officers  came 
to  me,  and  said,  •  Well,  Sir,  why  were 
you  not  at  church  to-day  ?'  I  answered, 
*  I  was.  Sir,  and  if  you  had  been  there, 
you  might  have  seen  me  ;  for  1  never 
miss  going,  when  1  have  an  opportunity/ 
'  Well,  Sir,  he  added,  have  you  preach- 
ed since  you  came  hither  ?'  'Not  publicly 
yet,'  I  replied.  He  swore  he  wished  I 
would,  that  he  might  punish  me  severely. 
'  But,  Sir,  (I  told  him,)  if  you  do  not  re- 
pent and  leave  off  that  habit  of  swearing, 
3'ou  will  be  worse  punii^hed  than  you  are 
able  to  punish  i;)e.'  He  replied,  '  1  will 
make  ^ou  mind  your  firelock,  and  leave 
otryour  preaching.'  'Yes,  ir,  I  answer- 
ed, when  I  leave  off  speaking/ 

Tiiis  was  he  that  put  me  in  prison  in 
York  lor  preaching.  As  Saul  hunted  Da- 
vid, so  has  this  man  hunted  my  soul  ;  but 
I  trust  the  same  God  that  delivered  Da- 
vid, will  deliver  me  from  cruel  men.  He 
called  for  one  of  the  soldiers,  and  took 
the  cockade  out  of  his  hat,  putting  it  in 
mine,  and  swore  he  would  make  me  wear 
it  ;  this  caused  a  sore  temptation  to  arise  in 
me,  to  think  Ihat  an  ignorant  wicked  man 
should  thus  torment  me  in  the  street  and 
prison,  and  1  was  able  to  tie  his  head  and 
heels  together.  I  found  an  old  man's 
bone  in  me  ;  but  the   Lord  lifted  up  a 


MR.   JOHN   NELSON.  1  »)3 

0  standard,  when  anger  was  coming  in  like 
atlood,  else  I  should  have  wrung  his  neck 
to  the  ground,  and  set  my  loot  upon  him 
which  would  have  brought  a  reproach  upon 
the  gospel,  and  wounded  my  own  soul.  J3ut 
God  is  good  to  me,  for  he  shewed  mc  the 
danger  and  delivered  me  from  it  in  a  mo- 
ment. Then  could  1  look  on  iiim  with 
pity,  and  pray  for  him  from  the  ground  of 
my  heart.  1  gave  several  books  away  in 
this  town  also  ;  which  we  left  the  next 
morning 

I  was  much  surprised  at  the  good  nature 
of  the  soldiers  in  all  this  march,  for  i  be- 
lieve twenty  oifered  to  carry  the  gun  for 
me,  or  any  thingelse  I  had.  God,  I  found, 
supported  me  wonderfully  in^all  these  tri- 
als ;  for  I  could  travel  fifteen  or  twenty 
miles  fasting,  as  well  as  those  who  eat  and 
drank  two  or  three  times  by  the  way. 
Surely  man  doth  not  live  by  bread  alone  ; 
but  the  Lord  is  the  Strength  of  Israel  ;  the 
Defender  of  all  them  that  put  their  trust  in 
him.  O  God,  be  thou  my  guide  unto 
death  ! 

We  got  to  Durham  by  nine  on  Monday  ; 
but,  in  our  way  wc  had  a  river  to  cross,  and 
were  obliged  to  wade  through  it.  The  day 
was  very  hot  ;  so  that  I  had  sweat  much, 
.  and  caughtcold  immediately.  J  found  my- 
self much  out  of  order  when  we  got  to  Dur- 
ham, and  desired  I  might  lay  down  a  little. 
Corporal  W — ,  lay  down  with  roe,  and  fell 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


asleep.    At  twelve  I  awoke  suddenly,  as  Jf |[  1 
some  man  had  called  me,  and  said  to  the  | 
corporal,  I  must  go  to  the  market  place  di-  i 
rectly,  for  what  1  know  not,  neither  which  i 
■  way  to  go  to  it.    '  Nor  I,  he  said  ;  but  I  ! 
will  go  with  you,  and  we  can  enquire  the  i 
way.'    Accordingly  we  did  :  and  just  as 
■we  got  thither,  my  brother  Westell  was  en- 
quiring lor  me  among  the  soldiers.  'Well, 
said  Mr.  W — ,1  never  saw  such  a  thing  in 
all  my  life,  that  you  should  thus  awake, 
and  come  to  meet  your  friend  the  minute 
he  came  to  seek  for  you.' 

We  were  much  comforted  together:  He 
told  me  that  M".  John  Wesley  would  be  at 
Durham  soon  after  four  o'clock.  1  gave 
God  tiianks  for  that  news.  We  went  to  a 
common  about  a  mile  from  the  town,  and 
there  we  met  Mr.  Wesley  :  My  heart  re- 
joiced to  see  him  ;  and  great  reason  have  I 
to  give  God  thanks  that  I  ever  saw  him, 
who  was  an  instrument  in  God's  hand  of 
plucking  me  as  a  brand  out  of  the  fii  e  — 
And  1  have  found  him  God's  roessenger  for 
my  good  ever  sjucc. 

We  came  to  the  sigi)  jf  tne  Angel,  and 
had  some  conversation  together.  He  ex- 
horted me  to  watch  and  pray  ;  and  did  not 
doubt  but  my  captivity  would  turn  to  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  furtherance  of  the 
gospel.  At  six  I  went  to  answer  my  call, 
and  Mr.  Wesley  went  into  the  Minster. 

Afterwards!  and  Thomas  Beard,  my  fel- 


MR.   JOHN  NEISON. 


165 


low-prisoner,  met  Mr.  Wesley,  and  our 
tbrotber  Errington,  and  went  with  them  to 
the  inn,  and  stayed  till  nine.  JMr,  Wesley 
said,  'Brother  Nelson,  lose  no  time; 
speak:  and  spare  net,  for  God  hath  work  lor 
you  to  do  in  every  place  where  your  lot  is 
cast  ;  and  when  you  have  lulfilled  his  good 
pleasure,  he  will  break  jour  bouds  in  sun- 
der, and  we  shall  rejoice  together.'  W  hen 
V  e  had  prayed  together,  we  commended 
each  other  to  the  grace  of  God,  and  so  part- 
ed in  body,  but  not  in  spirit. 

Next  morningthc  drum  beat  at  one,  and 
we  were  called  up  in  tlie  Market-place,  and 
caused  to  stand  till  three,  and  th«n  march- 
ed off  for  Sunderland,  wliich  we  reached 
by  nine.  When  w  e  were  brought  up  into 
the  town,  I  heard  several  of  the  inhabitants 
say  one  to  another,  '  That  is  the  Metho- 
dist mentioned  in  the  news-papers  ;  for  his 
look  is  not  like  other  men's."  O  my  God, 
why  am  1  and  my  fellows  become  men  that 
are  wondered  at  ! 

While  we  stood,  a  landlord  came  to  us, 
and  said,  *  Sir.  1  wish  you  would  quarter 
at  my  house,  for  I  rxpect  two,  and  .shall  be 
glad  to  have  you  tor  one,  and  whom  you 
choose  for  a  comrade.'  I  chose  Corporal 
"W — ,  and  asked  for  a  billet  as  the  man  de- 
sired, but  could  not  get  it ;  yet  I  believe  we 
got  the  best  quarters  we  could  in  Sunder- 
land. Tlius  I  see,  if  we  acknowledge  God 
in  all  our  ways,  he  wiJl  direct  our  paths. 


If6  THE   JOURNAL  CP 

When  I  went  to  exercise,  many  came  to  1- 
sce  me,  and  1  fell  into  discourse  with  themj^  ' 
but  could  get  no  hold  of  them  ;  for  they  as- 
sented and  consented  to  all  I  said  ;  and 
were  so  full  of  what  the  world  calls  good 
manners,  that  all  1  spake  was  written  as 
on  the  sand,  tho'  I  talked  with  them  seve- 
ral days:  Yet  some  I  trust,  will  be  mind- 
j'ul  of  their  everlasting  welfare. 

On  Saturday  night  I  was  ordered  to 
f tand  centry  on  the  Sunday  following,  but 
1  desired  I  might  stand  another  day,  or  pay 
for  my  guard.  I  believe  ten  men  offered 
to  stand  for  me,  but  all  in  vain  ;  for  the  En- 
sign, who  had  shewed  hatred  against  me 
all  along,  was  the  officer  of  the  guard  that 
day  ;  and  he  protested  he  would  make  me 
do  it  myself.  1  asked,  '  Sir,  what  have  I 
done,  that  I  cannot  have  the  same  liberty 
as  another  man He  answered,  'You  love 
the  church  too  well  ;  and  I  will  keep  you 
from  it,  and  make  them  go  who  do  not  like 
to  go  !'  Keep  me,  O  my  God,  from  all  an- 
ger, or  ill-will  ;  for  this  man  is  set  to  prove 
me  !  I  went  to  the  guard- bouse,  and  many 
came  to  talk  with  me  •,  but  I  did  not  stand 
centry  till  six  on  Monday  morning.  The 
Ensign  saying  in  the  street,  I  should  not 
go  to  church,  because  I  loved  it,  drew  many 
(  f  t!ie  people  to  me  ;  and  will  turn,  I  am 
)  ersuaded,  to  the  furtherance  of  the  Gos- 
pel. 

The  week  afiier  Mr.  M —  came.    He  had 


MR,  30HK  NELSON.  1G7 

heard  what  the  Ensign  had  done,  and 
tame  to  me,  and  askeJ  me  Jiovv  1  did  :  and 
said,  '  1  am  inlormed  Mr.  A —  hindered 
you  from  going  to  church  :  but  I  will  assui  e 
you,  you  shall  not  be  hindered  again  as  long 
us  you  are  -with  us.'  1  have  lound  sonjc- 
thing  of  good  in  this  man  ever  since  I  knew 
him.  He  will  hear  reason,  and  seems  to 
make  a  conscience  boti)  of  his  w  ords  and 
actions.  1  was  near  an  hour  in  his  cham- 
ber, and  he  asked  me  of  the  principal  points 
of  our  doctrine.  1  murie  them  as  plain  to 
him  as  I  could,  and  he  heard  me  with  great 
candour,  and  said,  he  had  no  fault  at  all  to 
find  with  it.  He  told  me,  '  The  first  time 
that  ever  1  saw  you,  I  saw  you  were  no  va- 
grant but  it  would  be  a  scandal  to  all 
who  w  ere  concerned  in  sending  or  recei- 
ving such  a  one  ■,  for  the  act  of  parliament 
does  not  reach  such  as  you  :  But  the  rest  of 
the  oificers  said  they  could  not  help  it,  for 
you  were  delivered  to  us  as  a  soldier  by  the 
Justices,  and  they  are  the  rogues.'  'No, 
Sir,  1  answered,  the  Justices  are  in  no 
lault,  for  1  was  never  before  one  of  them 
yet.'  He  said,  '  Who  sent  you  then  ?'  I 
replied,  '  The  C.>.'!ii.nissioners  '  '  What 
evidence  cud  they  against  you  ?'  '  The 
accusation  against  me,  by  the  constable  s 
deputy,  was,  '  He  preaches  to  the  people 
and  he  also  confessed  that  he  knew  no  o- 
ther  evil  of  me.'  '  Well,  but  the  Act  of 
Toleration  clears  you  from  that  being  a 


168 


THE  JOURNAl  OF 


crime  :  What,  had  you  no  man  to  speak  for 
you  ?'  '  Yes,  several  were  ready,  but  none 
were  suffered  to  do  it  ;  neither  were  the 
papers  regarded,  which  my  honest  neigh- 
bours and  gentlemen  sent  on  my  behalf; 
for  one  of  tlie  Commissioners  was  the  Par-  i 
son  of  our  parish,  and  he  was  the  evidence  »► 
against  me,  and  they  said,  they  would  hear 
no  other.' 

'Najs  said  Mr.  M — ,  it  is  no  wonder 
"they  treated  you  so,  if  the  priest  was  con- 
cerned :  for  they  have  been  at  the  head  of 
all  persecutions  for  religion,  which  has 
been  since  the  world  began.  I  see  them  bo 
wicked,  that  I  do  not  mind  religion  at  all. 
But  this  is  my  religion  ;  I  believe  there  is 
one  God,  and  that  Christ  his  Son  died  for 
the  world  ;  I  strive  to  do  honestly  to  all 
men  -,  and  to  do  a  good  turn  to  the  meanest, 
if  I  can  ,  and  I  think  my  religion  is  better 
than  theirs,  who  preach  one  thing  and  do 
another  ;  for  I  have  seen  so  much  of  them, 
that  1  assure  you,  1  would  hear  you  as  soon 
as  any  in  the  land.' 

He  sitid  he  should  like  to  read  some  of 
our  books  ;  so  !  made  him  a  present  of  An 
Earnest  Appeal,  1  he  Character  of  a  Me- 
thodist, and  the  sermon.  Awake  thou  that 
sleepest.  He  has  since  told  me,  that  he  hit!» 
read  them,  and  likes  them  well. 

This  day  he  procured  me  a  furlough  to 
Newcastle,  for  seven  days  ;  and  1  found  I 
did  net  go  up  without  the  Lord  ;  for  tay 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON'. 


soul,  and  those  of  the  people,  were  refresh- 
ed with  the  love  of  God.  Several  of  tlie 
soldiers  came  to  hear  me  preach,  and  gave 
great  attention  to  the  things  which  were 
spoken.  I  found  great  freedom  to  speak,  to 
the  children,  whom  God  has  called  out  of 
the  evil  world,  to  serve  him  in  this  place. 
Watch  over  them,  O  my  God,  for  good,  and 
be  thou  their  guide  unto  death  ! 

On  Tuesday  my  time  was  out  to  go  back. 
I  preached  at  PainsheoAn  the  afternoon,  to 
an  attentive  congregatTon,  and  got  to  Sun- 
derland by  seven  at  night.  This  week:  1  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  Mr.  Charles  Wesley, 
that  the  E.  of  S.  had  assured  the  Lady 
Huntingdon,  that  I  should  be  set  at  liberty 
in  a  few  days.  I  said,  '  The  Lord  hath 
not  forgotten  to  be  gracious,  for  he  hath 
taken  niy  cause  in  hand,  and  it  shall  turn 
to  his  glory  ;  for  he  alone  hath  done  the 
work,  when  all  human  means  seemed  to 
fail.'  My  enemies  cried,  'We  have  made 
his  bonds  strong,  and  none  can  deliver  him 
out  cf  our  snare  ;  for  we  have  put  it  out  of 
the  officers  power  (o  discharge  him  for  any 
price.'  Lord,  J  beseech  thee  open  their 
eyes,  .and  let  them  see  the  snare  which  Sa- 
tan hath  made  for  their  souls,  and  escape 
by  speedy  repentance,  and  faith  in  thy 
blood. 

TJjis  week  I  was  much  out  of  health  by 
the  surfeit  I  got  in  marching  ;  but  found 
present  ease  by  being  blooded.    The  week 
P 


170 


THE   JOURNAL  O? 


following  I  was  sent  for  by  the  captain  to 
tlie  store  house  ;  and  he  insisted  on  my  go- 
ing, though  I  was  so  ill.  When  I  came 
tlifre,  he  and  three  more  officers  came  and 
asked  me  how  I  did  ?  1  told  them  ;  and  they 
said,  '  Here  is  a  good  coat  for  you  to  keep 
you  from  tiie  cold,  that  you  may  recover 
your  health.'  1  said,  '  1  have  coats  e- 
iiough,  if  that  will  do  ■,  I  need  none  of 
yours.'  They  said,  '  they  would  make  me 
wear  it,  and  all  other  cioathing  belonging 
to  a  soldier.'  I  answered,  '  You  may  ar- 
ray me  as  a  man  of  war,  but  I  shall  never 
fight.'  They  asked  me,  '  What  is  your 
reason  ?'  My  answer  was,  '  1  cannot  see 
any  thing  in  this  world  worth  fighting  for. 
i  want  neither  it's  riches  nor  honours,  but 
the  honour  that  cometh  from  God  only — I 
regard  neither  it's  smiles  nor  it's  frowns  ; 
and  have  no  business  in  it,  but  to  get  well 
out  of  it.' 

'I'hen  they  ordered  the  Serjeant  to  puU 
off'  my  coat,  and  put  a  red  one  on  me; 
when  he  had  done  it,  they  turned  me  round, 
and  rejoiced  over  nic — I  said,  '  You  see 
the  scripture  cannot  be  broken,  where  it 
saith,  '  if  they  do  this' in  the  green  tree, 
what  will  they  do  in  the  dry  r'  '  Wiiat  do 
you  mean  by  that,'  tJicy  asked  ?  J  answer- 
ed, '  The  soldiers  took  Jesus  and  stripped 
him,  and  put  a  scarlet  robe  upon  him,  and 
mocked  him,  as  you  iiave  treated  me,  his 
servant,  this  day  for  speaking  his  words. 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON, 


171 


He  indeed  hath  the  greater  condemnation 
who  delivered  me  into  your  hands  ;  but  1 
pray  God  forgive  you  ail."  These  words 
turned  their  countenance  and  behaviour 
toward  me,  and  one  ofthem  laboured  much 
from  that  time  to  find  some  way  to  set  me 
fi  at  liberty. 

During  my  three  weeks  illness,  many  of 
the  brethren  and  sisters  from  Newcastle, 
Biddick,  and  Painshee,  came  to  see  me, 
and  God  was  pleased  at  that  time  to  give 
some  the  knowledge  of  salvation  by  the  re- 
mission of  their  siiis  ;  and  to  comfort  all 
our  hearts  with  his  love.  O  may  we  ever 
keep  his  commandments,  that  we  may  con- 
tinue in  his  love,  even  as  he  hath  kept  his 
Father's  commandments,  and  continue  in 
his  love  ! 

On  Friday,  July  27,  John  Gruham,  of 
Sunderland,  came  to  me  with  an  open  let- 
ter in  his  hand,  and  said,  '  Come,  my 
friend,  I  have  good  news  for  thee  ;  God 
hath  heard  the  prayers  of  his  people  in  thy 
behalf,  and  sent  thee  deliverance  -.  licie, 
read  this  letter,  which  tiie  jMajor  hath  sent 
to  the  Captain  on  thy  account.'  It  was  on 
this  wise,  'I  have  received  an  order  iVom 
the  Earl  of  S.  to  discharge  John  Nelson, 
who  was  prest  from  BirstaJ,  in  the  West 
Kiding  of  Yorkshire  ;  therefore  take  his 
arms  and  cloathing  from  him  which  he  has 
received,  and  Isi  me  know  il'  he  had  any 
pay  since  he  came,  and  send  him  to  me  wit!i 


]  7"  THE  JOURNAL  OF 

a  furlough.'  Accordingly  1  delivered  all 
things  !  had  belonging  to  thein  to  Lieuten. 
ant  M.  who  said,  he  w  as  glad  that  I  was  re- 
leased, and  wished  me  well  wheresoever  I 
went.  1  had  a  furlough  given  ine,  and  set 
out  in  the  afternoon  with  some  that  were 
come  from  Newcastle  to  see  me  ;  and  got  "9 
there  by  seven. 

All  the  Society  gave  Cod  thanks  on  my 
bell  a!  f,  as  soon  as  they  saw  me  ;  for  they  1 
had  knowledge  of  my  deliverance  before  t 
had.  Next  morning  I  went  to  the  Major's 
quarters  about  nine;  when  1  had  waited 
about  an  hour,  I  was  ordered  to  come  at 
half  an  hour  past  eleven — I  did  so,  and 
waited  another  hour — then  the  Major  call- 
ed to  nie,  and  bade  me  come  at  half  an  hour 
after  two,  and  he  would  speak  to  me — I 
came  again  as  he  ordered  me,  and  when 
I  had  stayed  near  an  hour,  one  of  the  Cap- 
tains called  to  me,  and  said,  '  The  Major 
is  gone  to  dine  with  the  Mayor  of  the  towu, 
and  you  will  hardly  see  him  to-night  ;  but 
you  will  be  sure  to  find  him  to-morrow 
uioriiiug.'  1  told  him,  that  would  not  do 
for  me  ;  lor  tny  business  was  not  to  be  done 
on  the  Saobadi. 

Near  six  in  the  evening,  I  saw  the  Major 
go  along  tlie  street,  and  followed  him  to 
his  lodgings  ;  he  said,  "  I  have  an  order 
I'rom  Lord  S —  to  discharge  you."  He 
sent  for  the  Adjutant,  and  ordered  him  to 
bring  two  printed  discharges  with  him. 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON.  1  75 

He  came,  and  three  more  of  the  officers 
Avith  him,  and  filled  up  the  discharg;e  -, 
when  he  had  done,  he  said,  '  I  wish  all  the 
men  in  our  regiment  would  behave  as  well 
as  Mr.  Nelson  has  done  since  he  has  been 
among  us,  it  would  be  better  for  us  and 
them  teo.'  Then  our  Lieutenant  said, 
'  Jndeed  he  has  done  much  good  since  he 
came  among  us  ;  lor  we  Jia\  e  not  had  one 
third  of  th£  cursing  and  swearing  in  the 
regiment,  which  we  had  before  he  came  ; 
and  he  has  given  me  several  private  exhor- 
tations, and  some  of  their  books  ;  and  1 
thank  him  for  them,  and  for  his  advice,  for 
they  are  good.'  Then  the  Major  said,  '  I 
wish  I  had  a  regiment  of  such  men  as  he  is 
in  ail  respects,  save  that  one,  his  refusing 
to  fight ;  I  would  not  care  what  enemy  1 
had  to  meet,  or  where  my  lot  was  cast." — 
'  Sir,  if  you  fear  God,  1  said,  you  have  no 
need  to  fear  any  thing  else  ;  for  they  that 
fear  him  depart  from  evil,  and  seek  to  do 
his  V  ill,  and  not  their  own  ;  they  know  that 
in  his  hand  are  the  issues  of  life  and  death  : 
Therefore,  they  fear  not  him  that  can  kill 
the  body  only,  but  him  who  can  destroy 
both  body  and  soul  in  hell.  And  every  one 
that  has  this  fear  is  trwly  wise  ;  but  he  that 
dare  commit  sin,  his  wisdom  is  the  foolish- 
ness of  folly  ;  ibr  he  is  pulling  destructioa 
on  his  own  head,  and  fitting  himself  for  the 
fuel  of  hell  fire.  But  he  that  is  wise  unto 
salvation  is  bold  as  a  lion,  and  is  more  no- 
P  S 


174 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


ble  than  to  contend  for  the  honour  which 
coineth  of  mien  ;  fur  having  bread  to  eat, 
and  raiment  t«  put  on,  he  knows  that  is  all 
this  world  can  afford  him.  He  pities  the 
great  ones  of  the  earth,  who  feed  on  husks, 
and  can  be  content  with  the  title  of  Right 
Honourable  ;  while,  by  sin,  they  debase 
themselves  even  down  to  hell  •,  but  by  these 
things  the  god  of  this  world  blinds  their 
eyes,  so  that  very  few  of  them  seethe  way 
to  heaven,  as  it  is  pointed  out  in  the  word 
oi'  God.' 

'  Well,  said  the  Major,  if  you  be  so  scru- 
pulous about  fighting,  w  hat  must  we  do  ?'  I 
answered,  '  It  is  your  trade,  and  if  you  had 
a  better,  it  might  be  better  for  you.'  '  But 
somebody,  (he  replied.)  must  fight ;'  I  said, 
*  if  all  men  lived  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God, 
wars  would  be  at  an  end.'  •  TJiat  is  true, 
he  atiswered,  if  it  were  so,  we  should  learn 
war  no  more.' 

•  But  there  is  one  thing,  said  he,  I  desire 
to  know  :  tell  me,  do  you  make  your  ser- 
mons ready  before  you  go  to  preach,  or  do 
you  speak  offhand  ?'  I  do  not  sttidy  what  to 
say,  but  speak  as  the  Spirit  of  God  enables 
me.  •  Well,  said  he,  I  cannot  tell  what  you 
mean  by  the  Spirit  of  God.'  'I'he  more  is 
the  pity.  1  answered,  that  you  should  have 
lived  so  long  in  the  world,  and  know  no- 
thing of  God  yet  ;  for  we  do  not  know  God 
but  by  his  own  Spirit  given  unto  us  ;  and 
till  we  have  received  that  Spirit,  we  are 


MR.   JOHS  NELSON.  IT") 

without  God  in  the  world  an  J  no  man  can 
have  this  gift,  and  rot  know  it;  for  thus 
saith  the  Lord  Jesus,  '  At  that  day  ye 
shall  know  that  I  am  in  my  Father,  and  you 
in  me,  and  I  in  you.'  So  that  if  God  be 
true,  we  must  know  that  Christ  is  in  us,  or 
we  are  none  of  his  ;  for  as  many  as  are  led 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of 
God  :  But  if  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  he  is  none  of  his  :  He  is  no  Chris- 
tian, no  more  than  a  Turk  or  Pagan  is.  un- 
less he  has  the  same  Spirit  that  raised 
Christ  from  the  dead,  to  raise  him  in  tliis 
world  from  the  death  of  sin. 

Here  one  of  the  Captains  spake  :  '  You 
said ,  one  day,  '  1  f  we  have  not  the  Spirit  of 
God,  we  are  dead  while  we  live.'  '  Did  1 
80  ?  '  Yes,  you  did.'  '  'I'hen  1  will  prove 
it,  both  from  the  doctrine  of  the  Church  of 
England,  (of  winch  I  profess  myself  a 
member,)  and  from  the  Word  of  God.' 
God  gave  me  to  speak  plainly  from  both  for 
about  twenty  minutes  ;  none  contradicting 
me,  but  they  both  stood  as  dumb  men. 

Then  said  the  Major,  there  is  such  a 
discharge  foryou,  as  i  never  gave  before, 
but  once  and  put  it  into  my  hand  :  i 
told  them,  '  1  have  now  delivered  my  own 
soul,  and  am  pure  from  the  blood  ol  you 
all:  fori  have  not  spared  either  poor  or 
rich,  since  1  came  among  you,  but  have  set 
life  and  death  before  you  all,  as  you  came 
la  my  way.    I  have  declared  unto  you. 


170 


The  journal  ot 


that  the  wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell, 
and  all  the  people  that  forget  God  ;  and 
coutrarywise,  the  blessed  state  of  them 
that  repent,  and  obey  the  gospel  of  Christ  , 
our  Saviour.    And  1  pray  God  to  give  you  \  , 
all  to  understand  the  things  which  belong 
to  your  everlasting  peace,  and  bless  you 
in  turning  every  one  of  you  from  your  ini- 
quities— I'hen  shall  we  meet  another  day  • 
to  part  no  more.'    The  Major  said,  '  I  • 
wish  you  well  wherever  you  go  :    For  I 
believe  you  Methodists  are  a  well  mean-  j 
jng  people;'  and  so  said  they  ull.    I  gave  • 
them  a  book,  and  took  my  leave  of  them. 

1  went  to  the  room,  and  preached  that  , 
night,  and  had  several  of  the  soldiers  to 
hear  mc,  who  gave  attention  to  what  I 
said  ;  then  I  took  my  leave  of  them,  but 
some  ot  them  wept,  and  desired  me  to  pray 
for  them,  and  said,  w  e  are  glad  you  are 
set  at  liberty,  but  sorry  to  part  with  you.' 
I  commended  them  to  God,  and  to  the 
word  of  his  grace,  and  trust  they  will  mind 
the  exhortation,  and  become  soldiers  of  Je- 
sus Christ. 

On  tlie  28th  day  of  July,  I  was  set  at  li- 
berty to  go  wheresoever  I  thought  was 
most  for  God's  glory,  who  has  delivered 
me  from  my  bonds.  For  he  hath  done 
the  work,  and  to  him  the  glory  is  due. 
What  am  I,  that  he  should  care  for  me  ! 
But  he  is  a  God  that  heareth  prayer  :  And 
the  cries  of  his  people  inclined  him  to  take 
my  cause  in  hund.— Praise  the  Lord,  Q 


MR.  JOHN  NELSOK. 


177 


my  soul,  who  has  kept  thee  in  all  thy  trials, 
ami  hath  not  sulieied  thee  to  faint  in  sore 
temptation  ! 

Now  1  find  the  words  true  which  Mr. 
John  Wesley  wrote  me  at  York  :  '  Well, 
my  brother,  is  the  God  *  hom  you  serve, 
able  to  deliv  er  you  ;  and  do  you  find  him 
faithful  to  his  word  ?  is  his  grace  still 
sufficient  for  you  ?  I  doubt  it  not.  He  will 
not  suffer  you  to  be  weary  or  faint  in  your 
mind.  But  he  had  work  for  you  to  do, 
which  you  knew  not  of,  and  thus  his  coun- 
sel was  to  be  fulfilled  !  Oh  !  lose  no  time  ! 
Who  knows  how  many  souls  God  may 
by  this  means  deliver  into  your  hands. 
Shall  not  all  these  things  be  for  the  fur- 
therance of  the  gospel  !  And  is  not  the 
time  coming  when  we  shall  cry  out  toge- 
ther, 'Nay,  in  all  these  things  we  are 
more  than  conquerors  thro"  him  that  lov^d 
us.' 

On  the  e9th  of  July,  1744,  the  day  after 
I  was  released  from  my  captivity,  I 
preached  at  the  room  in  Newcastle  ;  and 
the'  power  of  the  Lord  was  present ;  seve- 
ral more  were  converted  that  week,  and 
my  own  soul  refreshed  among  them. 

The  week  after  I  set  out  for  home  ;  and 
brother  Tinkler  assisted  me  with  a  horse 
as  far  as  Ferry-Hill,  where  we  commended 
each  other  to  the  grace  of  God,  and  I  set 
out  on  foot. 

The  day  after  I  met  brother  Ash,  and 
two  more  near  Boroughbrtdge,  coming  to 


178 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


meet  me  with  my  mare.  We  stopped  and 
sang  praise  together  unto  God,  who  had 
broken  my  bonds,  and  preserved  them  in 
many  dangers. 

It  was  given  out  for  me  to  preach  at 
Leeds  that  night  ;  and  I  preached  in  an 
open  yard,  to  a  large  company  of  rich  and 
poor,  that  did  not  attend  our  preaching 
before  I  was  sent  for  a  soldier.  Thus  we 
see  that  what  the  enemies  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
do  to  hinder  hisgospel,  helps  to  enlargehis 
kingdom.  So  it  is,  that  he  turns  the  fierce- 
ness of  men  to  his  praise,  and  the  remain- 
der of  it  he  restrains — For  not  one  in  Leeds 
opened  his  mouth  against  me,  but  hun- 
dreds said  they  were  glad  to  see  me  at  li- 
berty again. 

When  1  got  home  I  found  my  wife  and 
children  well,  and  we  praised  God  toge- 
ther But  when  I  came  to  converse  with 
the  people,  my  soul  was  distressed  within 
me,  for  those  that  had  shewed  me  great 
love  before  i  went,  by  their  behaviour  and 
countenance,  now  seemed  to  wish  I  had 
not  comeback.  ;  for  Mr.  Vine;/,  who  had 
been  with  the  Moravians,  had  got  among 
thctn  in  my  absence,  and  had  preached  to 
them  another  gospel.  They  now  told  me, 
they  did  not  want  the  law  or  work  preach- 
jag  any  more,  but  they  wanted  to  be  fed  ; 
and  that  neither  Mr.  Wesley  nor  J  knew 
how  to  build  up  souls  as  well  as  Mr.  Vi- 
ney  did.     But  I  found   that  they  were 


Mil.  JOHN  KELSON. 


1/9 


built  up  in  an  unholy  faith  ;  for  they  said, 
to  tell  people  that  they  must  be  holy  in 
this  world,  was  Mr.  Wesley's  error  and 
mine,  and  we  kept  souls  in  bondage,  by 
preaching  as  we  did.  Some  of  tbemindeecf, 
shewed  their  liberty,  by  trampling  under 
foot  the  law  of  Cod  and  man. 

When  I  saw  such  havoc  made  among 
the  lloclc  by  his  soft  words  and  fair  speech- 
es, my  soul  was  distressed  within  me,  so 
that  I  could  not  eat  my  bread.  I  threw 
myself  on  the  ground,  and  requested  for 
death,  saying,  '  Lord,  why  hast  thou  suf- 
fered me  to  come  back  to  see  this  evil }' 

When  1  preached,  many  stood  like 
stocks  or  stones,  and  others  smiled  at  one 
another;  so  that  my  preaching  was  like 
a  feather  thrown  against  a  rock,  or  as  wa- 
ter spilt  upon  the  ground,  except  to  a 
few  strangers  who  were  airected.    I  said, 

*  VVoe  is  me!  Ibr  my  children  flee  from 
me,  as  if  I  bad  brought  the  plague  a.mong 
them  !'. 

1  humbled  myself  before  God,  and  beg- 
ged for  light  that  I  might  know  his  will 
and  I  opened  the  book  on  these  words. 

•  Bring  forth  therefore  fruits  meet  for  re- 
pentance: and  think  not  to  say  within 
yourselves.  We  have  Abraham  for  our 
father,  for  I  say  unto  you,  that  God  is  able, 
of  these  stones,  to  rai.?e  up  children  unto 
Abraham  ;  and  now  also  the  axe  is  laid 
unto  the  root  of  the  tree,Uherefore,  every 


150  THE  JOURNAL  Of  | 

tree,  which  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  .; 
is  hewn  down,  and  cast  into  the  fire.'  I 
went  out,  and  stood  upon  a  table,  and 
preached  from  these  words  to  a  large  con- 
gregation, who  seemed  to  be  as  a  people 
that  never  heard  the  gospel  before,  and 
therebegan  tobe  a  trembling  amongst  them 
when  many  fell  to  the  ground,  and  cried 
out, '  Lord,  save,  or  1  perish  !'  Many  came 
to  me  weeping  and  said,  *  We  have  beea 
deluded  by  the  German  song.  O  pray  for 
us,  that  God  may  give  us  back  that  tender 
conscience  which  we  have  lost  since  you  , 
left  us.'  Then  Mr.  Viney  went  outof  the 
congregation,  hanged  down  his  head,  and 
owned  us  no  more.  But  niy  soul  re- 
vived again,  for  sinners  were  converted 
and  others  restored  to  the  simplicity  of 
the  gospel,  who  had  been  wise  above  what 
is  written  ;  but  some  continue  to  this  day 
in  their  happy  sinnership.  I  met  with  one 
of  them  the  other  day,  so  drunk,  that  he 
could  not  keep  the  cart-road.  1  asked  him 
■what  bethought  of  himself  now,  if  dealh 
were  to  seize  him  in  that  wretched  condi-  I 
iion  ?  He  said,  that  he  was  not  afraid  to 
die,  for  he  was  as  his  saviour  would  have  | 
him  to  be  -,  and  if  be  would  have  him  to  be 
holy,  he  would  make  him  so,  but  he  was  a 
poor  sinner,  and  he  hoped  to  be  so  to  eter- 
nity.— He  said, '  You  and  John  Wesley  are 
enemies  to  the  Lamb  ;  for  you  want  people 
to  be  holy  here  :  But  the  Lamb  shall  have 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON.  ISl 

the  honour  of  saving  nie  ;  I  will  not  offer 
to  save  myself  like  you  Pharisees.'  I  cried 
out,  *  Lord  keep  me  from  that  delusion.' 

After  some  time  1  went  to  York,  and 
found  the  seed  sown  in  my  captivity  had 
sprung  up;  for  nineteen  Kad  found  peace 
with  God,  and  twice  as  many  were  under 
convictions,  though  th«y  had  no  one  to  in- 
struct them  in  my  absence  r  But. the  little 
books  1  left  them,  viz  the  Sermon  cn, 
Awakethou  that  sleepest,  andSalvation  by 
Faith,  and  the  Extract  from  the  Homilies, 
and  the  Nature  and  Design  of  Christianity, 
had  been  of  great  use  to  thera.  O  what 
good  might  be  done,  if  these  books  were 
spread  through  the  land  ! 

Soon  after,  Mr.  Wesley  sent  for  me  to 
London,  and  ]  found  my  soul  blessed  in 
speaking  to  the  people  ;  and  many  came  to 
hear  out  of  curiosity,  when  they  heard  it 
was  the  man  that  had  been  in  prison  ;  and 
several  were  convinced  of  tJie  truth  they 
heard. 

When  I  was  at  London,  I  received  a  let- 
ter from  Sunderland,  wherein  I  was  desi- 
red to  go  and  preach  there.  Two  men  who 
had  conversed  with  me,  when  I  was  cap- 
tive fhere  have  found  the  Lord  ;  and  they 
said.  That  their  souls  panted  for  the  salva- 
tion of  their  neighbours.  So  I  see  that 
God  leads  the  blind  by  a  way  they  know 
not  ;  For  I  thought  all  that  I  had  said 
there,  was  as  water  spilt  on  the  ground ; 


THE  JOORNAX  09 


but  the  Lord  confirms  his  own  word,  when 
we  see  little  outward  appearance  of  it.  O 
how  wonderful  are  thy  works,  O  Lord  ! 
what  a  great  fire  is  kindled  by  a  little 
spark  in  that  place  !  Now  I  see,  that  the  , 
wise  man  s  advice  isgood,  where  he  saith^ 
'  Sow  thy  seed  in  the  morning ;  and  in  the 
evening  with-hold  not  thy  hand,  for  thoi* 
knowest  not  which  ^hall  prosper,  this  or 
that.' 

In  my  return  from  London,  I  preache*  ^ 
at  Nottingjiam-cross,  to  a  large  congrega-  , 
tion  ;  most  of  them  behaved  very  well,  ex-  ■ 
cept  a  few  who  had  prepared  squibs  to 
throw  in  my  face  ;  but  three  of  them  were 
burnt  with  the  fire  that  they  intended  for 
me,  and  went  away  and  left  me  to  finish 
my  discourse  quietly.  When  I  bad  done, 
there  came  a  serjeant  to  the  cross  to  me,, 
and  fell  down  on  his  knees  and  said,  *  For 
the  Lord's  sake  pray  for  me  •,  for  1  came  on 
purpose  to  pull  you  down  ;  but  the  dread 
of  God  fell  on  me,  (when  T  saw  those  burnt 
with  the  squibs  that  they  intended  to  throw 
in  your  face,)  and  your  words  came  as  a 
sword  to  my  heart ;  and  I  am  convinced 
that  you  are  God's  servant.  I  never  served 
either  God  or  my  King  as  I  ought  to  do  : 
But  I  hope  I  shall  begin  to  lead  a  new  life 
from  this  hour.'  This  being  in  the  pre- 
ftence  of  all  the  people,  it  seemed  to  season 
■what  I  had  said  to  them.  As  1  was  preach- 
ing,, one  Stephen  Diekson»  and  two  mora 


il 


MR.   JOHN  KBLSOK. 


18S 


preachers,  came  and  stood  awhile  :  They 
then  spoke  aloud,  and  said,  '  V^  hy  hear  ye 
Jiiin  ?  For  he  is  as  legal  and  blind,  as  Ihc 
two  VVesleys  themselves.* 

When  I  got  home,  I  found  tlic  people  in 
a  prosperous  way  :  and  the  greatest  part  of 
tl>em  quite  delivered  from  the  Antiiio/nian 
principles  that  they  had  fallen  into  during 
jny  captivity  ;  and  the  Lord  had  increased 
them  in  grace  and  number  -.  To  him  be  the 
glory  given. 

Soon  after,  I  w^nt  to  Newcastle,  and  la- 
boured there  about  three  months,  and  had 
an  opportunity  to  visit  Sunderland.  I 
preached  upon  the  cross  to  the  greatest 
part  of  the  town,  who  behaved  well,  and 
stood  all  the  time,  though  the  snow  was 
eight  or  ni«e  inches  deep.  I  -went  there  as 
often  as  I  could  ^  and  God  visited  many 
with  his  salvation  there,  and  at  Painshee, 
and  Biddick,  who  biessed  God  that  I  had 
been  sent  among  them.  They  said,  that 
they  would  pray  for  our  minister,  who  was 
the  cause  of  my  coming  ;  for  they  were 
more  beholden  to  him  Uia«  to  me  :  and  let 
fcim  intend  what  he  would,  the}-  had  reason 
bless  God,  in  his  behalf.  So  it  is  evi- 
dent, God  hath  his  way  in  the  wliirlmnd, 
and  his  path  in  the  great  waters. 

On  my  return  to  Lecd«,  I  f  und  that  the 
Lord  had  greatly  blessed  the  labour  of  Jo- 
nathan Reeves,  and  John  Bennet  ;  several 
being  converted  by  their  preaching,  both 
iiere  and  at  Birstal. 


THE  juvk:^al  or 


I  was  artei  wartls  ordered  toBrigtol.  fri 
my  way  I  called  at  Nottingham  ;  and  as  I 
was  preaching,  a  mob  came  into  the  house, 
and  made  a  noise,  as  if  they  had  been  in  a 
cock-pit,  so  that  my  voice  could  not  be 
heard  for  some  time.  When  they  were  si- 
lent, I  began  to  speak,  and  one  of  them 
came  behind  me,  and  tilled  my  mouth  with 
dirt  out  of  the  channel.  I  never  felt  my- 
self so  near  being  choaked  in  my  life  ;  But 
when  I  had  gotten  the  dirt  out,  I  spoke 
again.  The  ringleader  of  them  turned 
about,  and  said,  •  Let  him  alone,  for  he  is 
riglit,  and  we  are  wrong  ;  and  if  any  one  of 
you  touch  him,  I  will  knockyou  down.'  He 
guarded  me  to  my  lodgings,  and  bore  many 
blows  for  me;  he  desired  me  to  pray  for 
hxcp,  that  he  might  not  rest  till  he  had 
found  peace  with  God,  for  he  was  sure  he 
fought  against  the  truth  ;  but  by  grace  he 
would  do  so  no  more. 

]  found  peace  at  VVednesbury  ;  and  se- 
veral, who  had  been  persecutors,  were  con- 
verted, and  were  content  to  bear  the  re- 
proach of  the  gospel.  O  what  a  good  Cod 
Jiavewe  to  deal  with  !  It  is  plain,  whoever 
turn  at  his  reproof,  he  will  pour  out  his 
Spirit  upon  them,  and  receive  them  into 
liis  family,  after  all  thc-y  ha\e  done  to  pro- 
voke hi  ;n. 

.*  fjund  peace  at  all  the  places  in  my  way 
to  Bristol  ;  and  my  soul  was  refreshed  a- 
mong  the  people  in  that  city.  Here,  and  iu 


MR.    JOHN  NFLSOH. 


185 


pa>-ts  of  Somersetshire  and  Wiltshire,  I 
spent  (bur  months.  Several  were  av.  aken- 
ed  at  Poiiltoi),  Coirord,  Oakton,  Shenton- 
Maliet,  Road,  and  Bearficid  ;  so  God  doth 
work,  and  none  can  hinder,  though  the  in- 
struments be  ever  so  weak  :  if  be  command 
it,  a  worm  shall  shake  the  earth. 

While  I  was  in  these  parts,  the  rebels  en- 
tered our  land  ;  and  many  trembled  for  fear 
of  the  approaching  calamities,  that  were 
expected  at  their  coming,  and  attended  the 
word  and  prayer,  though  they  used  not  to 
attend  before  But  aiter  the  Lord  had  put 
his  hook  into  the  rebels'  jaws,  and  turned 
them  back  by  the  way  they  came,  many 
were  as  careless  about  their  souls  as  ever. 

A  little  before  1  left  Bristol,  i  received 
a  letter  from  Mr  Charles  Wesley,  contain- 
ing only  the  following  words,  '  My  brother, 
you  must  watch  and  pray,  labour  and  sut- 
ler :  My  spirit  is  with  you  ;  yoi!  will  short- 
ly be  wanted  in  Yorkshire.  Farewell.' 
Indeed  God  hath  made  him  a  true  prophet 
to  me,  for  I  see  as  much  need  to  watch  and 
pray  as  ever  I  did  ;  and  1  believe  I  shall,  as 
Jong  as  I  am  in  this  howling  wilderness  ; 
and  to  exert  all  my  strength  in  labouring^ 
to  persuade  sinners  to  tlee  from  ike  wrath 
to  come,  for  1  see  myself  a  debtor  to  all 
men. 

I  remember  about  eight  months  before  I 
WPS  pressed  for  a  soldier,  Mr.  C.  Wesley 
wa.s  preaching  near  my  house,  in  the  open 


186 


The  journal  op 


street,  and  said  in  his  preaching,  '  Before 
I  shall  come  to  preach  here  again,  the  de- 
vil will  be  permitted  to  cast  some  of"  you  in- 
to prison,  but  it  shall  turn  to  the  glory  of 
God,  and  to  the  furtherance  ef  the  gospel.' 
1  little  thought  then  that  the  cloud  would 
burst  on  my  head  ;  but  when  it  did,  his 
words  were  a  support  to  me  in  my  trials. 

When  I  left  Bristol,  1  met  with  many 
sufferings  ;  at  almost  every  place  where  I 
came  to  preach,  mobs  were  raised,  as  if 
they  were  determined  to  kill  me,  and  all 
God's  children,  in  a  kind  of  thanksgiving, 
because  the  rebels  were  conquered.  O  what 
stupid  creatures  are  men  in  their  carnal 
state  ! 

When  I  got  to  Nottingham,  I  preached 
to  a  peaceable  congregation.  About  half 
an  hour  after  I  had  done,  as  I  and  four  or 
five  more  were  sitting  by  the  fire,  the  con- 
stable with  a  mob  at  his  heels  came  rushing 
into  the  house,  and  said,  '  Where  is  the 
preacher  >'  I  said,  '  I  am  he.  Sir.'  He  re- 
plied, '  You  must  go  with  me  before  the 
Mayor.'  I  said, '  Where  is  your  warrant  .>* 
He  replied,  '  My  staff  is  my  warrant. 
C-ome,  lads,  help  me  ;  for  1  will  make  him 
go  before  the  Mayor.'  I  said,  '  I  am  not 
afraid  to  go  before  him  ;  but  it  is  your  busi- 
ness to  take  up  that  swearer  ;  you  hear 
there  is  another  that  swears,  and  if  you 
dont  take  them  up,  it  is  in  my  power  to 
aiakeyou  pay  forty  shillings  foi*  not  doing 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


1«7 


your  duty.'  He  regarded  not  what  I  said, 
but  hauled  me  away.  When  he  had  got 
almost  to  the  Mayor's  house,  a  gentleman- 
tike  man  said,  '  Constable,  where  are  you 
going  with  him  }'  he  said,  *  To  the  Major.' 
He  replied,  *  Pray  don't ;  for  the  Mayor  is 
their  friend,  and  says,  he  will  put  any  one 
that  disturbs  them  into  the  house  of  cor- 
rection :  Therefore  carry  him  before  Al- 
derman H — 1,  and  he  will  do  for  him.* 
*  Then  we  must  turn  another  way,'  said 
he.'  But  I  said,  '  I  insist  upon  going  before 
the  Mayor,'  But  he  replied,  *  1  wni  make 
you  go  where  I  please.'  I  said,  *  You  told 
me  you  must  carry  me  before  the  Mayor  -. 
I  find  you  are  a  strange  officer,  to  encour- 
age swearing,  and  tell  lies  yourself.'  Then 
the  mob  shouted,  and  cried,  •  Help  us  to 
guard  the  methodist  preacher  to  the  house 
of  correction.' 

By  that  time  we  got  to  the  alderman's 
house,  there  were  several  hundreds  gather- 
ed together  and  when  we  came  there,  he 
said,  '  Whom  have  you  brought,  consta- 
ble >'  To  me  he  said,  '  1  wonder  you  can't 
stay  in  your  own  places  ;  you  might  be  con- 
vinced by  this  time,  that  the  mob  of  Not- 
tingham will  never  let  you  preach  quietly 
in  this  town.'  I  replied,  '  I  beg  pardoa. 
Sir,  I  did  not  know  before  now,  that  thi» 
town  was  governed  by  a  mob  ;  for  most 
such  towns  are  governed  by  magistrates.' 
ile  blushed,  and  aaid, '  Do  you  taiak  that 


Ib'i  The  journal  of 

we  .will  protect  Wesley,  and  you  ?  a  pack 
cf  you  !  No.  J  believe  yni  are  the  cause  of 
all  the  commotions  that  Lave  been  in  the 
land/  1  replied,  '  Sir  can you  prove  that 
one  man  who  is  joined  to  ua  did  assist  the 
Pretender,  with  either  men,  money,  or 
arms  ?' He  said,  '  It  hath  been  observed, 
that  there  were  always  such  a  preaching, 
bawling  people,  before  any  judgment  came 
upon  the  land.'  I  replied,  '  'J^hat  is  the 
goodness  of  G»-;l  towards  the  people,  lor 
sending  his  messengers  to  warn  them  to 
repent,  that  they  may  escape  his  judgments 
here,  and  the  torments  of  the  damned  here- 
after. Sir,  yon  may  as  well  say,  that  it 
Avas  through  Jeremiah  that  the  Chaldeans 
destroyed  the  temple,  and  took  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Jerusalem  captives,  because  he 
told  them  it  woiild  be  so,  if  they  did  not  re- 
pent, and  turn  to  God.  No,  sir,  it  is  not 
lor  praying  and  preaching-  that  evil  comes 
on  a  land,  but  lor  swearing  and  cursing, 
drunkenness,  and  debauchery,  for  oppress- 
ing the  poor,  and  loving  j)leasure  more 
than  God  ;  and  for  denying  the  Lord  (hat 
bought  us.  These  are  ihe  people  that 
bring  the  swcrd,  pesiilcnce,  and  famine, 
into  the  land.'  The  constable  said,  'Do 
you  think  we  will  take  warning  by  such 
fellows  as  you.'  1  said,  *  If  you  will  not, 
you  must  feel  the  blow  ;  for  if  there  be  not 
a  reformation  in  the  land,  God  will  pour 
out  his  judgments  upon  man  and  least; 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


180 


Ihercfore,  1  warn  you  all  to  look  unto  the 
roA,  for  it  is  appointed  to  them  that  diso- 
bey the  gospel  '  'I'hKn  the  alderman  said, 
'  So.  so.  you  must  not~{ireacIi  here.  1  ve- 
rily believe  you  are  a  good  man.'  Then  he 
said,  '  Con.stable,  i  will  not  send  this  man 
to  the  house  of  correction  :  I  tliink,  as  you 
keep  a  public  house,  you  may  let  him  lie 
(here  tonight for  lie  is  on  his  journey.' 
The  constable  said,  '  i  beg  that  he  may  not 
be  at  my  house.'  '  Well  then,  said  he,' he 
may  go  to  Mary  White's,  where  he  came 
from.'  1  spoke  a  few  more  words  to  him, 
and  wished  him  a  good  night.'  He  said, 
•  Mr.  Nelson,  I  wish  you  well  wherever  you 
go.' 

When  I  had  got  into  the  sheet.  I  don't 
know  but  there  migiit  be  a  thousand  peo- 
ple ;  but  I  saw  not  one  that  1  knew  ;  there- 
fore I  went  and  stood  under  a  lamp  that 
my  acquaintances  might  see  me  The  al- 
derman came  to  the  door,  and  said  to  the 
constable,  '  Take  care  of  Mr.  Nelson,  that 
no  one  molest  him  ;  see  him  safe  to  Mary 
White's.'  The  constable  seemed  much 
ashamed,  and  did  as  he  was  ordered. — . 
Then  the  man  that  advised  him  to  carry 
r.'ie  before  the  alderman,  came  to  me,  and 
said,  'Thy  nimble  tongue  has  delivered 
thee  at  this  time.'  I  said,  'No,  sir,  it  i.s 
my  God,  who  hath  the  hearts  of  all  men  in 
liis  hand .' 


J90 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


When  we  got  to  Mary  White's,  we  sung  i 
a  hymn,  and  gave  praise  to  God,  and  pray-  ; 
ed  for   our  enemies,   and  recommended 
each  other  to  God's  care  and  protection 
and  we  had  a  comfortable  meeting  at  five  i 
the  licxt  morning. 

WJi«n  I  got  hoiiie,  I  found  all  things  in 
a  comfortable  way,  and  the  Lord  added 
many  to  the  number  of  his  children  that 
winter,  and  several  died  in  the  triumph  of 
faith.  '  Wonderful  art  thou,  O  Lord,  in 
all  thy  works  ;  and  as  thou  art  in  majesty, 
«o  art  thou  in  mercy  J' 

One  day  I  happened  to  fall  in  company 
with  a  gentleman,  that  was  called  one  of 
the  chief  teachers  in  Israel,  who  began  to 
ridicule  Mr.  Wesley,  and  all  that  labour 
with  him,  saying,  •  They  are  a  short-sight- 
ed, ignorant  set  of  people,  neither  are 
they  willing  to  be  instructed  in  the  truths 
of  the  gospel.'  I  said, '  Sir,  I  am  one  of 
them,  and  I  am  open  for  conviction  :  shew 
me  our  error,  and  1  hope,  by  grace  to  for- 
sake it'  He  said,  'You  deny  the  faith 
delivered  to  the  saints,  in  denying  Elec- 
tion and  Reprobation.'  I  said,  •  1  do  not 
know  that  that  is  the  faith  of  the  gospel  ;  j 
for  the  Apostle  Paul  saith,  'It  was  not  J 
written  for  Abraham's  sake  alone,  that " 
faith  was  counted  to  him  for  righteousness 
but  for  our  sakes,  if  we  believe  in  hini 
that  raised  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  from 
the  dead,  who  was  delivered  for  our  of- 


MR.   JOHN  NBLSOX. 


151 


fences,  and  rHised  again  for  our  justifica- 
tion.' I  think,  therefore,  that  this  is  the 
faith  of  the  gospel,  that  I  with  my  heart 
believe  that  Jesus  Christ  died  for  my  sins, 
and  rose  again  for  my  justification  ;  that 
he  died  for  me,  that  his  life  might  be  made 
manifest  in  my  mortal  flesh  ;  that  I  might 
not  live  to  myself,  but  to  him  who  died 
for  me  :  and  this  faith  kindles  a  flame  of 
love  in  the  heart  of  those  that  receive  it, 
to  God  and  to  every  soul  of  man  ;  and  I 
would  not  give  a  straw  for  any  thing  cal- 
led faith,  short  of  this  The  same  Apostle 
saith,  that  his  commission  to  the  people 
and  to  the  Gentiles,  was  to  open  their  eyes, 
and  to  turn  them  from  darkness  to  light, 
and  from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God  ;  that 
they  might  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and 
an  inheritance  among  them  that  are  sancti- 
fied, by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ :  but  there  is 
not  one  of  reprobation  in  his  commission  ; 
and  if  any  come  to  preach  another  gospel, 
let  him  be  accursed.  •  He  stormed  at  me,  and 
called  mc  a  muddy-headed  creature  seve- 
ral times.  I  answered, '  My  head  is  muddy, 
er  your  doctrine  is  unclean.  If  you  clear  God 
and  not  make  him  a  liar,  nor  guiltyof  per- 
jury, nor  the  author  of  all  sin,  then  I  may 
think  as  you  do.'  He  asked.  '  What  do  you 
mean?'  I  replied,  'He  hath  said  several 
times  that ;  he  is  no  respecter  of  persons  but 
you  have  given  him  the  lie  many  times, 
.since  I  came  in  your  company ;  and  youhave 
made  him  guiJty  of  perjury  j  for  he  swears 


192 


THE  JOUrtNAL  OF 


by  his  own  life,  that  he  hath  no  pleasure 
in  the  death  of  a  sinner.    And  jou  have 
affirmed  that  it  is  God's  pleasure  to  leave 
the  greatest  part  of  mankind  to  an  unmer- 
ciful devil,   to  govern  them   here,  and 
to  torment  them  hereafter  :  nay,  you  af- 
firm, that  it  is  his  good  pleasure  to  damn 
infants  from  their  mother  s  womb. — O  Sir, 
beware  what  you  say  against  the  God  of 
love  :   for  you  have   made   him  worse 
than  MolocJi.    Byyonr  wordsthat  man  is  jl 
as  much  doing  the  will  of  God,  that  cuts  i 
his  father's  throat,  and  that  ravishcth  his  *l 
own  mother,  as  he  tiiat  feedeth  the  hun- 
gry, and  clotheth  the  naked,  ! — O  sir,  is 
this  the  God  that  was  in  Christ,  reconcil- 
ing the  world  to  himself?  No,  he  is  lovine  -i 
to  every  man,  and  I)is  mercy  is  over  all  ] 
liis   works  :    and    St.   John  saith,   '  He 
that  loveth  is  born  of  Go<l  ;  and  knoweth 
God,  for  God  is  love.'    Then  he  made  ji  - 
noise  like  a  butcher  in  the  Bear-garden.  : 
When  I  could  be  heai'd,  I  saiu,  '  Sir,  if 
ever  you  preach  ag:i;n,  1  must  look  npon  ^ 
you  either  as  a  fool  or  knave.'    He  asked, 
'  Why  so  ^     I  replied,  '  You  say  the  elect 
were  cho.sen  from  eternity,  and  the  rest 
set  apart  for  misery  :   and  that  the  de- 
cree cannot  be  broken  ;  and  if  you  think 
one  of  the  chosen  can  be  lost  for  want  of 
preaching,  or  one  of  the  reprobates  can 
be  saved  by  your  preaching,  you  must  be 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON.  19^ 


void  of  reason,  and  something  worse,  il' 
you  believe  the  thing  is  fixecf,  and  tliat 
preaching  will  aggravate  the  torments  oi' 
the  lost,  and  that  the  greatest  part  of'vour 
hearers  arc  lost,  who  help  to  rnaintain 
you  as  a  gentleman,  only  to  increase  their 
damnation.'  He  looked  at  me  with  a 
stern  countenance,  and  said,  '  You  are 
as  bad  as  Wesley  himself.'  I  replied, 
'  Sir,  why  do  you  find  fault  ?  If  whiit  you 
say  be  true,  God  hath  decreed  me  to  thiiiL 
as  1  do  And  how  can  I  break  the  (!e- 
cree  }'  He  said,  •  I  hate  to  hear  you  talk 
so.'  I  answered,  '  Do  you  want  God  to 
break  his  decree  ?'  Then  he  went  away  in 
a  rage. 

Another  preacher  of  the  same  sort, 
heard  our  dispute,  and  told  me,  he  would 
put  a  question  to  me,  which  would  drive 
me  from  inherent  righteousness  :  viz.  'If 
the  white  raiment  that  those  appeared  in 
before  the  throne  of  heaven,  wei  c  not  the 
imputed  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ  ?' — 
I  said,  '  No,  Sir.'  But  he  affirmed  it  was. 
1  then  said,  '  It  is  almost  blasphemy,  in 
my  opinion,  to  say  so.*  He  said,  '  What 
do  you  mean  >  I  answered,  '  The  scrip- 
ture saith,  that  •  They  came  cut  of  great 
tribulation,  and  washed  their  robes,  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb:'  I  never  heard  that  his  life  was 
stained  by  sin  ;  neither  man  nor  devil 
eould  accuse  hira  thereof  i  his  righteous- 


194 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


ness  bad  no  need  of  washing  ;  it  is  blas- 
phemy to  say  that  it  did  ;  for  shame,  go 
home  and  read  the  scriptures,  and  you 
will  see  it  is  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  that 
cleanses  from  all  sin,  but  clokes  none  : 
>When  a  soul  appears  in  that  company,  it 
is  not  like  a  dunghill  covered  with  snow, 
but  really  pure,  and  is,  by  the  power  of 
Jesus  Christ's  Spirit,  restored  to  the  Image 
of  God,  in  which  it  was  at  first  created 
and  then,  and  not  till  then,  can  it  enter 
in  at  the  gates  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  and 
join  the  angels  and  archangels,  and  spi- 
rits of  just  men  made  perfect,  to  sing  an 
eternal  anthem  to  the  Great  Three  One.' 
He  said,  *  You  shall  never  make  me  think 
as  Wesley  and  you  do.'  I  replied,  •  If 
you  don't  in  this  world,  you  will  in  the 
next;  for  if  you  die  defiled  and  unclean, 
you  must  be  cast  into  a  lake  that  burneth 
with  fire  and  brimstone  so  you  had  bet- 
ter begin  now  yourself,  and  advise  your 
hearers  to  cry  out,  '  Create  in  me  a  clean 
heart,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me, 

0  Lord,  for  none  but  the  pure  in  heart 
can  see  God.' — lie  said,  '  I  do  not  care 
what  you  can  say,  for  my  salvation  was 
completed  when  Christ  bung  on  the  cross.' 

1  replied,  '  Not  so.  for  he  did  not  repent 
for  you  :  You  must  repent  for  yourself,  or 
eternally  perish,  after  all  that  he  hath 
done  and  suffered  for  you  ;  and  if  you  do 
not  believe  that  he  died  for  your  sins^  and 


MS.'  30HK  NELSON 


195 


rose  again  for  your  justification.  Nor  was 
lie  risen  again  when  he  hung  on  the  cross, 
which  was  yet  a  necessary  part  of  the 
M'ork  that  he  came  to  do.  Nor  was  he 
Lorn  again  for  you  ;  for  you  must  be  born 
again,  or  you  can  never  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  ;  and  be  as  really  made 
a  partaker  of  the  Divine  Nature  by  rege- 
neration, or  you  have  no  more  right  to 
call  G«d  your  fathe*-,  or  heaven  your  in- 
heritance, than  i  have  to  call  King  George 
iny  father,  and  his  throne  mine.'  He  said, 
'  You  are  a  strange  set  of  people  :'  and 
left  me.  O  my  God,  take  the  matter  into 
thy  own  hand,  and  put  a  stop  to  that  anti- 
christian  doctrine,  which  is  spreading  as 
a  flood  in  our  land  ;  and  give  the  people 
to  see  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  and  cre- 
ate such  a  hungering  and  thirsting  after 
inward  holiness,  that  they  may  pant  as 
the  hart  pantcth  after  the  water  brooks, 
till  all  that  is  in  them  be  made  holiness  to 
the  Lord. 

I  was  in  hopes  that  I  had  done  with 
that  sort  of  people,  but  a  third  came  to 
me  soon  after,  in  a  ri»ge,  and  said,  '  You 
are  an  enemy  to  the  gospel.'  I  asked, 
•  Wherein,  Sir  ?'  He  replied,  '  In  saying 
that  Christ  died  for  all,  and  in  denying 
imputed  righteousness.'  1  answered, 
'  Faith  in  Curist,  is  imputed  for  righteous- 
ness, to  every  soul  that  belie veth  ;  and 
they  are  freely  forgiven  for  his  sake,  re- 


169 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


ceived  into  God's  favour  and  family,  and 
are  made  partakers  of  the  same  Spirit, 
that  raised  our  Lord  from  the  dead  ; 
whereby  they  are  enabled  to  deny  ungod- 
liness, and  wordly  lusts,  and  to  live  a 
^odly,  righteous,  and  sober  life,  in  this  pre- 
sent evil  world  :  and  to  [jerfect  holiness  in 
the  fear  of  God  In  the  scripture  sense 
these  live  not,  but  Christ  liveth  in  them  ; 
and  he  doth  actually  destroy  the  work  of 
the  devil,  and  re  instamp  the  image  of 
God  in  their  souls  ;  and  I  read  of  no  other 
fjuaii/ication  to  fit  a  soul  for  God 's  cojnpa- 
ny.'  He  said,  '  You  are  stupid,  and  so 
are  all  they  tliat  folio iv  Wesley  ;  but  I  be- 
lieve as  1  say,  and  so  do  many  better 
men  than  either  he  or  you.'  1  answered, 
'  If  you  and  all  the  preachers  in  England 
were  to  believe  so,  I  will  not  give  you 
credit,  unless  the  word  of  God  expressly 
says,  that  Christ  did  not  die  for  all;  but 
it  saith  several  times,  that  Jie  did  die  for 
nil:  But  not  once  that  lie  did  not  die  for 
all ;  and  how  you  came  'a  be  wise  above 
what  is  written,  I  know  nOt,  neither  do  1 
want  such  wisdom.'  I  added,  '  Tell  tne. 
Sir,  did  you  ever  feel  the  love  of  God  in 
your  own  soul?  If  you  did,  1  appeal  to 
your  conscience  ;  that  at  that  time  you 
found  love  to  every  soul  of  man  ;  now  this 
was  not  your  nature,  but  the  nature  of 
God  ;  and  if  one  drop  of  the  bucket  could 
so  SH'cll  your  soul,  what  must  that  ocean 


MB.   JOHN  KELSON. 


be  Ironi  vvliich  it  came  ?  But  I  cannot  help 
thinking,  that  .vou  of  that  principle  i. ever 
knew  God,  or  ifyou  had  known  him,  yoir 
liave  {'orgotten  him  ;  lor  you  make  him 
worse  than  Moloch.'  On  this  he  fell  in- 
to a  rage  with  me.  I  said,  •  Be  not  an- 
gry with  me,  but  rather  be  consistent 
with  yourself,  and  if  I  could  belieAX  as 
you  do,  1  would  not  have  so  long  trou- 
bled the  people  with  preaching  ;  for  you 
say,  '  Not  one  of  them  that  Christ  died 
ibr  can  perish,  nor  the  rest  be  saved.' 
Then  why  do  you  and  1  beat  the  air? 
For  Christ  will  have  his,  you  say,  and 
the  devil  must  have  his  -.  Therefore,  let 
each  have  their  own  quietly,  and  do  not 
torment  the  poor  creatures  before  the  time. 
He  then  went  away  in  haste,  and  sent  for 
arguments  to  those  of  Jiis  own  stamp  in 
London,  to  put  a  stop  to  universal  re- 
demption and  inward  iicliness,  but  never 
jet  brought  them  to  me. 

Scon  alter,  1  met  with  a  Roman  Catho- 
lic, who  began  to  condemn  all  sects  and 
parties,  sayirg,  'They  must  all  peiish, 
that  die  out  of  the  pale  of  the  church  ; 
tliat  there  is  but  one  true  f  iiurch,  and  that 
the  church  of  Rome  is  it.'  I  replied, 
^  Whatever  the  church  of  Rome  is,  you 
do  not  belong  to  Christ's  church  yet  •,  for 
you  curse  and  swear,  and  get  drunk,  and 
break  the  sabbath;  and  while  you  con- 
imw  to  do  so,  you  belong  to  the  syna- 


19S 


The  journal  of 


gogue  of  satan.'  Bat  iis  said,  '  Our  priests 
have  Peter's  power,  and  could  and  would 
forgive  the  sins  of  all  that  belong  to  our 
community.'  I  answered,  'Not  so  j  for 
one  wicked  man  cannot  forgive  another, 
nor  forgive  his  own  sins  ;  no,  it  is  God 
that  is  ofTended,  and  it  is  he  that  is  ofiend- 
ed  who  must  forgive  the  offender  ;  cue 
rebel  cannot  forgive  another  ;  it  is  the 
King  that  must  forgive  both,  or  both  must 
«ufFer.  You  sny  also,  that  the  wa.fer  is 
the  real  body,  and  the  wine  the  real  blood 
of  Christ,  after  consecration  ;  then  accord- 
ing to  you,  whosoever  is  a  partaker  of  it 
hath  eternal  life  abiding  in  htm  ;  but  the 
scripture  saith,  that  '  no  whoremonger, 
or  drunkard,  or  blasphemer,  hath  eternal 
life  abiding  in  him,'  and  you  know  that 
many  of  your  church  that  are  partakers 
of  the  Eucharist,  are  such.  Nay,  St.  Paul 
tells  us,  in  the  5th  chapter  of  the  Gala- 
tians,  of  seventeen  sorts  of  sinners,  that 
ehall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God  ; 
therefore  be  not  deceived,  neither  cast 
away  the  reason  God  hath  given  you. 
Now  bring  your  wafer  and  set  it  before 
a  swine,  an  ape,  or  a  bear,  and  they  will 
devour  it,  how  then  can  you  dare  to  say 
that  it  is  divine  If  it  be  so^  these  brutes 
inust  be  raised  up  at  the  last  day,  as  well 
as  you.'  He  gave  me  bad  words.  And 
another  of  them  said.  If  he  might  have 
^is  will  on  me,  he  would  have  nic  boiled 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


199 


I  in  oil  •,'  ihey  then  left  me.  Oh,  my  God, 
rend  away  the  veil  of  ignorance  from  that 
people,  and  let  all  nations  see  thy  salva- 
tion ! 

On  my  journey  to  the  place  where  I  was 

foing  to  preach,  I  called  at  a  gentleman's 
ouse,  where  was  much  company  ;  and  he 
insisted  I  should  stay  and  dine  with  them. 
I  desired  to  be  excused.  He  said,  •  What 
is  your  reason  ?  You  have  time  enough  on 
your  hands.'  I  replied,  *Sir,  1  don't  carfi 
to  aflront  you  in  your  own  house.'  *  What 
do  you  mean?'  he  said.  I  answered,  '  If 
I  affront  the  gentlemen  at  your  table  it 
will  affront  you  ;  and  1  do  not  expect  to 
sit  at  the  table  to-day,  but  I  shall  hear  the 
Name  of  the  Lord  blasphemed,  though 
I  there  are  two  Clergymen  in  the  company, 
I  and  if  I  do,  I  must  reprove  them,  or  car- 
ry a  guilty  conscience  home,  which  1  will 
not  do  for  all  you  have.'  He  said,  *  I  in- 
sist on  you  to  dine  with  me  :  and  you  are 
welcome  fto  reprove  sin  ;  and  if  I  be  guil- 
ty, reprove  me  first.'  I  said,  '  You,  -ir, 
as  soon  as  any  one,  or  t  should  not  love 
your  soul  as  well  as  another's. 

When  we  were  seated,  I  had  scarcely 
time  to  eat  one  morsel,  before  I  had  occa- 
sion to  reprove  ;  for  one  gentleman  was  a 
Roman  Catholic,  and  he  hardly  spoke 
three  won's,  but  one  was  an  oath.  I  said 
to  the  master  of  the  feast,  '  There  is  one 
thing  too  deep  for  me ;  I  cannot  fathom 


•200 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 


it.-'  He  asked,  '  Wliat  is  that  ?'  I  an- 
swered, •  When  i  see  a  niaa  endowed 
with  reasou,  and  ol'  a  liberal  education, 
run  himself  out  ol"  breath  lor  no  prize.'  He 
said,  '  What  do  you  mean  ?'  '  I  replied, 
'  When  such  a  one  will  damn  his  eouI 
with  swearing  and  cursing,  it  is  like  run- 
ning lor  no  prize,  if  be  damn  his  soul  to 
gratify  his  vain  and  foolish  desires,  he 
hath  a  sort  of  pleasure,  though  it  is  bru- 
tish :  but  the  other  brings  neither  plea- 
snre  nor  credit.'  Then  said  the  gentle- 
man, '  Peter  swore.*  1  replied,  '  He  did 
so,  but  wlien  he  had  done,  Ijc  went  out  and 
wept  bitterly  .  And  I  do  not  suppose  he 
ever  swore  again  — Sir,  1  wish  you  would 
do  as  he  did.'  He  answered,  '  Well,  I 
own  it  is  not  right  to  swear,  but  here  are 
some  ol'yaur  clergy,  as  you  call  yourself 
a  churchman,  that  will  swear  as  much  as 
nie  wlien  l\ey  are  hunting.'  1  said,  '  Sir, 
1  am  sorry  to  hear  tliat ;  but  it  will  not 
justify  either  you  or  me,  if  we  swear,  be. 
cause  your  priest  and  my  minister  will 
swear.'  Then  another  said,  'Do  you 
tliink  that  Mr.  John  Wesley  would  not 
swear  a  vain  oath  for  ahtnuiied  pounds?' 
I  answer,ed,  *  I  believe  he  would  not  swear 
a  vain  oath  to  save  his  neck  from  the  gal- 
lows ;  if  1  were  sure  he  would,  I  would 
turn  my  back  on  hiui  lor  ever.'  The  Ro- 
man Ciiiholic  said,  '  1  neitlier  care  what 
you  nor  he  saith  ;  for  hunt  I  will,  and  I, 


MR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


have  as  good  a  pack  of  fox  Jogs  as  is  in 
the  kinj^dom,  and  a  couple  of  as  ^ood  hor- 
ses to  follow  them  •,  which  do  but  costnie 
two  hundred  pounds  a  year,  and  1  can 
well  aflbrd  it.'  But  1  replied,  '  Sir,  hovr 
will  you  answer  for  spending  two  hundred 
pounds  a  year,  when  you  come  to  give  an 
account  of  your  stewardship  >'  He  answer- 
ed, '  It  is  my  own  ;  I  am  not  a  steward.* 
]  replied,  '  You  are  but  a  steward.  Sir  : 
for  '  the  earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the  full- 
ness thereof ;  so  are  the  cattle  on  a  thou- 
sand bills.'  He  says,  '  The  gold  is  mine, 
and  the  silver  is  mine,'  and  he  will  say  to 
you,  'Thou  hast  taken  my  gold  and  my 
silver,  and  spent  it  on  thy  dogs,  horses, 
and  fighting  cocks,  in  the  room  of  feeding 
the  hungry,  and  clothing  the  naked,  or  as 
being  a  liusband  to  the  widow,  or  as  a 
lather  to  tiie  fathe'  Iess,  or  as  eyes  to  the 
blind,  or  legs  to  t!ie  lame.  O  Sir,  consi- 
der, it  is  but  a  little  v/hile,  befor  God  will 
say  to  you,  'Come,  and  give  an  account 
of  thy  steward3hip,  for  thou  must  be  no 
longer  steward  !'  Then  you  will  wish, 
that  all  you  have  spent  in  voluptuousness, 
and  vain  pleasures,  h:id  been  given  to  the 
poop  and  needy  '  Then  the  two  Clergy- 
men whispered  together  ;  a.id  t!ie  whisper 
went  round  to  the  Roman  Catiiylic,  and 
he  said,  '  Why  did  God  make  dogs  of 
sucli  a  nature,  if  it  v.  cre  not  for  gentle 
men's  diversion  }'  I  answered,  'Who  da'es 


f02 


THE  JOURNAL  OF 


Bay,  that  God  mac'e  them  so  ?'  He  said, 
'  Did  not  Cod  make  them  ?'  *  Yes,  Sir,  I 
replied,  aiul  j  ou  too  ;  but  not  as  you  are.* 
He  said.  '  What  do  you  mean  ?'  I  replied,  , 
'  When  God  had  finished  the  creation,  he  i 
proiioi'tirad  every  thing  good  :  and  there  ] 
was  MO  death  in  any  creatuie.    But  when 
sin  entered  into  the  world,  then  death  en- 
tered into  the  world  by  sin  ;  but  before 
man  sinned  against  his  Maker,  there  was 
nothing  in  one  creature  that  would  take 
the  Hie  of  another  :  No,  the  hare  would  ' 
as  soon  have  hunted  the  hound,  as  the  i 
hound  the  hare.    At  that  time,  the  Iamb 
would  as  soon  have  killed  the  lion,  as  the 
lion  the  lamb ;  and  the  pigeon  the  hawk, 
as  the  hawk  the  pigeon.    But  since  the 
fall,  the  earth  is  cursed  for  man's  sins, 
and  every  thing  that  it  produces  ;  nay,  it 
is  all  a  curse  to  man,  till  it  is  sanctified  to 
him  by  prayer    And  1  do  not  believe,  that 
you  or  any  who  is  here,  go  to  your  knees  j 
to  desire  God  to  give  his  blessings  oQ' 
your  undertakings,  when  you  go  a  hunt- 
ing, and  to  enable  you  to  use  the  hounds 
and  horses  to  his  glory  :   not  believing,, 
that  you  can  do  any  thing  that  will  please 
him  better.'    He  said,  *  1  have  heard  that! 
Wesley  had  taught  you  the  art  of  reason 
ing,  and  I  find  he  has.'    1  replied,  '  Sir^ 
if  you  or  any  man  that  is  present,  can  dis-r^ 
prove  what  I  say,  let  them  do  it  now.' 


MR.  JOHN  NELSOir. 


203 


After  my  return  to  Leeds,  I  went  to 
Wakefield,  and  preached  to  a  small  but 
serious  congregation. 

The  next  morning  I  set  out  for  Kirk- 
Heaton,  and  in  my  way,  I  called  to  break- 
fast with  a  friend  in  Horborough  ;  but  be- 
fore I  had  been  there  half  an  hour,  the 
house  was  beset  with  almost  the  whole 
town,  men,  women,  and  children  ;  they 
cried  out  with  one  voice,  '  Bring  him  out, 
that  we  may  put  him  into  the  river.'  I 
went  out  to  them,  and  said,  '  What  do 
you  want  ?'  They  damned  me,  and  said, 

*  You,  you  Methodist  dog.'     I  replied, 

*  What  have  I  done  to  you  ?'  I  am  not  go- 
ing to  preach  here  now.'  Then  the  par- 
son's son  swore,  '  You  shall  never  preach 
more,  for  we  will  drown  you  in  the  ri- 
ver this  day.'  And  I  found  that  almost 
the  whole  town  had  agreed  together,  that 
all  thejourneymen  and  apprentices  should 
leave  work  as  soon  as  the  next  preacher 
came  into  the  town,  and  put  a  halter 
about  his  neck,  and  drag  him  into  the  ri- 
ver, and  drown  him,  that  the  town  may 
be  quit  of  them  for  ever  ;  and  the  par- 
son s  son  was  the  captain  of  the  mob, 
who  had  prepared  a  crazy  man  to  put 
the  halter  about  my  neck  and  he  stood 
with  one  in  his  hand ,  and  a  butcher  with  a 
rope  to  help  to  haul  me  along  ;  but  while 
my  voice  could  be  heard,  they  had  not 
power  to  touch  me  ;  then  they  went  to 

( 


THE   JOURNAL  OF 

the  Clerk's  house,  and  got  six  large  hand- 
bellsj  and  came  and  rung  theui  round 
me,  for  that  my  voice  could  not  be  beard 
then  the  madman,  who  was  above  six 
feet  in  height,  put  the  halter  to  my  throat, 
but  I  put  my  hand  between  my  throat 
fl,ud  it,  and  pushed  it  back,  and  the  man 
fell  to  the  ground,  as  if  he  had  been 
knocked  dow  n  with  an  axe  ;  and  the  but- 
cher stood  trembling,  ami  touched  me  not. 
The  constable  then  came  with  his  staff  in 
his  hand,  upo  .  which  the  mob  cried, 
'  Here  is  the  constable,  let  him  come,  and 
he  will  put  the  rope  on  him  now  ;  for  he 
will  help  us.'  He  came  to  nie,  and  I 
said,  'Are  you  the  constable.?'  He  an- 
swered, '  Yes,  I  am,  and  that  I  will  let 
you  know."  J  replied,  '  1  am  glad  you  are 
come  ;  and  I  charge  you  in  the  king's 
name  to  do  your  office.'  He  asked,  '  What 
is  my  office.?  I  answered,  'it  is  to  quell 
this  mob  ;  and  to  deliver  me  out  of  their 
hands:  and  if  1  have  done  any  thing  con- 
trary to  the  law,  to  carry  me  belbre  a 
Magistrate  ;  and  let  me  be  punished  by 
the  law.'  .He  turned  pale,  and  said, 
*  Where  are  you  going.?'  1  answered,  '1 
was  going  to  the  stable  to  get  my  horse, 
but  was  stopped  by  this  mob.'  He  bade 
them  be  silent,  and  said,  •  Follow  me.' 
He  went  to  the  stable,  and  led  out  my 
horse,  and  held  the  stirrup,  while  I  gofc 
cu  :  He  tJien  led  me  quite  through  the 


MK.  JOHN  NELSON. 


£05 


crowd,  and  bade  me  go  on  in  the  Name  of 
tbe  Lord.  O  my  God  !  hitherto  thou  hast 
helped  me  ! 

When  I  got  to  my  place,  we  had  a  com- 
fortable meeting;  for  the  power  o«'the  Lord 
was  present  to  heal ;  and  one  that  had  wait- 
ed long,  was  set  at  liberty  ;  and  all  praised 
the  lord  on  my  behalf,  for  his  delivering 
jne  from  the  hands  of  t'he  ungodly. 

I  went  once  more  to  York,  in  Passion 
week;  and  preached  on  Good  Friday,  at 
Hepworth-Moor,  to  a  serious,  peaceable, 
people  ;  and  gave  out  to  preach  there  on 
Easter. Sunday,  at  eight  in  the  morning  : 
Then  I  went  to  a  village  about  three  miles 
from  York,  where  I  preached  to  a  very 
large  and  well-behaved  congregation. 

On  Easter-Sunday  I  went  to  Hepworth- 
Moor,  at  the  time  appointed,  and  found 
two  companies  of  people  assembled  :  The 
one  came  to  hear  the  word,  and  the  other 
to  mob.  After  we  had  sung  a  hymn  and 
prayed,  I  opened  my  book  on  these  words. 
'  God  having  raised  up  his  son  Jesus  Christ, 
and  sent  him  to  bless  you,  in  turning  every 
one  of  you  from  your  iniquities;'  and  f 
went  on  to  prove  that  this  was  his  business 
in  this  present  evil  world,  actually  to  save 
all  true  believers  from  their  sins  ;  and  that 
it  was  neither  sect,  party,  nor  opinion,  that 
made  a  man  a  real  member  of  Ghrisfs 
Church  ;  But  the  real  christians  are  those 
that  are  saved  from  their  sins,  by  Jesus 


206 


THE  JOURVAt  0» 


Christ,  both  from  omitting  and  commit- 
ting ;  and  every  thing  short  of  this,  wa* 
not  Christianity  ;  therefore,  I  said, '  Be  not 
deceived  ;  for  whatsoever  is  defiled,  or  un- 
clean, cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  but  must  be  cast  into  the  lake  that 
burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone  ;  and  as 
this  day  is  kept  in  the  remembrance  of 
God's  raising  his  Son  up  to  bless  us,  let 
every  one  cry  out,  •  Lord,  bless  me,  and 
turn  me  from  my  iniquities.'  Then  a  gen- 
tleman, a  papist,  that  brought  the  rebels  to 
mob,  cried  out,  *  Knock  out  the  brains  of 
that  mad  dog  and  perfectly  gnashed  with, 
his  teeth.  Immediately  a  shower  of  stones 
came,  and  hit  many  of  the  people,  and  they 
continued  to  throw,  till  not  one  could  stand 
to  hear  me  ,  nevertheless,  not  one  stone  hit 
me,  though  I  stood  as  a  mark  on  the  table, 
when  all  were  fled  from  me,  and  I  talked 
to  the  mob.  But,  on  going  away,  one 
struck  me  with  a  piece  of  a  brick  on  the 
back  of  my  head,  and  I  fell  flat  on  my  face, 
and  must  have  lain  for  some  time,  had  not 
two  men  lifted  me  up  ;  but  I  could  not  stand 
for  some  time.  The  blood  ran  down  my 
back  quite  into  my  shoes,  and  tjje  n»ob  fol- 
lowed me  through  the  city,  swearing  that 
they  would  kill  me,  when  they  got  me  out 
of  it.  I  said  unto  the  Lord,  '  Lord,  thou 
wast  slain  without  the  gate,  and  thou  canst 
deliver  me  from  the  hands  of  these  blood- 
thirsty men.'    When  I  was  got  over  the 


MX.  JOHN  NELSON,  tOf 

bridge,  a  gentleman  came  and  took  me  by 
the  hand,  saying,  •  What  is  the  matter  you 
bleed  so  ?'  Some  of  the  mob  answered, 
•  That  is  but  little  to  what  we  will  do  to 
him.'  Then  the  gentleman  pulled  me  into 
his  house,  and  told  the  mob  if  they  did  not 
disperse  immediately,  some  of  them  should 
be  in  the  castle  before  an  hour  was  at  an 
end.  Then  they  fled  away  ;  and  he  sent 
for  a  surgeon  to  dress  my  head. 

I  lay  down  awhile  ;  and  brother  Salton 
came  with  my  horse,  and  I  rode  to  Ack* 
ham,  where  1  was  to  have  preached  at  five 
in  the  afternoon  ;  but  just  at  that  time, 
there  came  about  ten  young  gentlemen, 
some  in  the  coach,  some  on  the  box,  and 
behind  the  coach  ;  who  began  to  sing  the 
■ongs  of  the  drunkards,  and  to  throw  rot- 
ten eggs  at  the  women. 

I  and  two  more  were  walking  in  a  little 
field  hy  the  house,  when  there  came  two 
big  men,  one  of  whom  swore,  '  Here  he  is  ; 
I  will  kill  him  if  there  were  not  another 
jnan  alive.'  I  told  him  that  he  had  not  any 
reason  to  kill  me,  for  I  had  done  hin;  no 
wrong  ;  nor  any  one  in  that  town.  Then 
he  pulled  off"  his  hat  and  wig,  and  gave 
them  to  the  other  man,  saying,  •  If  I  do  jiot 
kill  him,  1  will  be  damned  '  Then  he 
came  as  fiercely  to  me  as  he  could,  with  an 
intent  to  run  his  head  against  the  pit  of  my 
stomach,  but  I  stepped  aside,  and  he  pitch- 
■cd  on  his  head.    VVhen  he  got  up,  1  spoke 


208 


The  Journal  of 


to  him  again,  asked  what  I  had  done  amiss 
to  him  ?  He  gave  me  no  answer,  bul  ran  at 
me  again,  mid  caught  hold  of  the  collar  of 
my  shirt  wliich  rent  in  pieces,  and  he  fell 
down  at  my  feet  again;  Then  he  got  up, 
'and  came  to  mc  the  third  time  :  and,  as  I 
made  no  resistance,  he  threw  me  down, 
and  leaped  with  his  knees  on  my  belly  se- 
veral times,  till  he  had  beaten  the  breath 
out  of  me,  and  set  my  head  bleeding  again. 
He  then  went  to  the  gentlemen  that  hired 
him  and  the  other  man  to  kill  me,  and  said. 
Gentlemen,  I  have  killed  the  preacher,  he 
lies  (lead  in  tiic  croft.'  And  then  he  took 
one  of  our  iViends,  and  threw  him  against 
the  corner  of  a  wall,  and  broke  two  of  his 
libs.  Tlie  parson's  brother  said,  '  Well, 
we  will  see  ourselves  ;  we  will  not  take 
your  word.'  Upon  which,  he,  and  about 
twenty  more  came  to  me  ;  but  my  breath 
■was  come  again,  and  I  was  turned  on  my 
face,  and  lay  bleeding  on  the  ground.  One 
of  them  said,  '  He  will  get  his  death  if  he 
lies  there  awhile  '  Then  they  lifted  ine 
lip,  and  Said,  '  We  will  help  you  into  the 
Louse.'  When  1  could  speak,  I  said, 
♦  Your  mercy  is  only  to  make  way  fo'r  more 
cruelty  ;  gentlemen,  if  I  have  done  any 
thing  contrary  to  the  law,  let  mc  be  punish- 
ed by  the  law  ;  I  am  a  subject  to  King 
George  ;  and  to  his  law  1  appeal  ;  and  1 
am  willing  to  go  before  my  Lord  Mayor, 
as  he  is  the  King's  Magistrate.'    But  they 


MR.  JOHN  NELSON. 


209 


cursed  ine  and  the  K — g  too,  saying  he  was 
as  bad  as  w  e,  or  he  would  have  hanged  us 
all  like  dogs  tcl'ore  now.  One  actually 
damned  hirn,  and  said,  '  If  he  were  here, 
we  would  serve  him  as  bad  as  you.' 

The  parson's  brother  cursed  ine,  and 
said,  *  According  to  your  preaching,  you 
would  prove  our  ministers  to  be  blind 
guides,  and  false  prophets  ;  but  we  will 
kill  you  as  fast  as  3'ou  come.'  One  said, 
•  if  Wesley  comes  on  Tuesday,  he  shall  not 
live  another  day  in  this  world.'  When  I 
got  into  the  street,  they  set  up  a  huzzah, 
and  a  person  caught  hold  of  my  right  hand, 
and  gave  me  a  hasty  pluck  :  At  the  same 
time,  another  .struck  me  on  the  left  side  of 
the  head,  and  knocked  me  down.  As  I 
got  up,  they  knocked  me  down  eight 
times  ;  and  when  1  lay  on  the  ground,  not 
being  able  to  get  up,  they  took  me  by  the 
hair  of  my  head,  and  dragged  me  upon  the 
stones  for  near  twenty  yards,  some  kicking 
me  on  my  sides  and  thighs  with  their  feet, 
as  the  other  dragged  me  along  ;  and  six  of 
them  got  on  my  body  and  thighs,  to  tread 
the  Holy  Spirit  out  of  me,  as  they  said. 
Then  they  let  me  alone  a  little  while,  and 
said  one  to  another,  '  We  cannot  kill  him.* 
One  said,  '  I  have  heard  that  a  cat  has  nine 
lives,  but  I  think  he  has  nine  score.'  Ano- 
ther said,  *  If  he  has,  he  shall  die  this  day.' 
A  third  said,  '  Where  is  his  horse  >  for  he 
shall  quit  the  town  immediately.'  And 


flO  THE  30UBHAL  OF 

they  said  to  me,  *  Order  your  horse  to  be 
brought  to  you  for  you  shall  go  before  we 
leave  you.'  I  said,  '  I  will  not,  for  you 
intend  to  kill  me  in  private,  that  you  may 
escape  justice  ;  but  if  you  do  murder  me 
it  shall  be  in  public,  and  it  may.  be  that 
the  gallows  may  bring  you  to  repentance, 
and  your  souls  may  be  saved  from  the 
wrath  to  come.'  Then  one  swore,  if  I 
would  not  go,  they  would  put  me  into  the 
draw  well ;  and  they  lifted  up  the  lid  of  the 
well,  and  dragged  me  towards  it :  but  a 
woman,  big  with  child,  stood  by  the  well, 
and  pushed  several  of  them  down,  so  that 
they  could  not  get  me  to  it.  Then  two  gen- 
tlewomen, who  came  out  of  the  city,  called 
the  gentlemen  by  their  names,  that  were 
striving  to  put  me  in  ;  who  all  let  me  go, 
and  turning  to  the  gentlewomen,  they  look- 
ed as  men  confounded.  In  the  mean  time, 
some  friends  got  me  up,  and  helped  me  in- 
to the  house.  Then  all  the  mob  set  out  for 
the  city,  singing  debauched  songs.  This 
was  on  Easter  Sunday. 

I  heard  one  of  them  say,  as  he  got  into 
the  coach,  '  It  is  impossible  for  him  to  live ; 
and  if  John  Wesley  comes  on  Tuesday,  we 
will  kill  him  :  then  we  shall  be  quite  rid  of 
the  Methodists  for  ever  ;  for  no  one  will 
dare  to  come,  if  they  two  be  killed.' 

When  they  were  gone,  1  sent  for  some- 
thing to  sweat  me  and  I  sweat  so  violent- 
ly >  that  in  the  raorning  my  shirt  M'as  as  if 


HR.   JOHN  NELSON. 


211 


it  had  been  stained  with  raw  beef.  But  I 
was  not  60  sore  as  I  expected  ;  for  1  set  out 
to  meet  Mr.  Wesley,  and  was  enabled  to 
ride  forty  miles  that  day. 

I  met  him  at  Osinotherly,  and  heard  him 
preach  on  a  tomb-stone  in  the  church-yard, 
to  a  large  and  serious  congregation.  I 
found  his  word  to  come  with  power  to  my 
soul,  and  was  constrained  to  cry  out,  *  O 
Lord,  I  will  praise  thee  for  thy  goodness 
to  iiie  ;  for  thou  hast  been  with  me  in  all 
my  trials  :  thou  hast  brought  me  out  of  the 
jaws  of  death  ;  and  though  thou  didst  per- 
mit men  to  ride  over  my  head,  and  laid  af- 
flictions on  my  loins,  yet  thou  hast  brought 
me  through  fire  and  water  into  a  wealthy 
place  !  And  indeed  in  all  my  persecutions, 
my  soul  was  kept  in  peace,  so  that  1  nei- 
ther felt  fear  nor  anger. 

So  far,  Lord,  I  am  thy  witness  •,  for  thou 
dost  give  strength  for  the  day,  according 
to  thy  word,  and  grace  to  help  in  time  oT 
need.  O  my  dear  Redeemer,  ho«v  shall  I 
praise  thee  as  thou  oughtest  to  be  praised  > 
O  let  my  life  be  a  living  sacrifice  to  thee  ; 
for  it  is  by  thee  alone  that  I  escaped  both 
temporal  and  eternal  death  ! 

When  I  had  told  Mr.  Wesley  of  the 
treatment  I  had  met  with,  he  blessed  God 
for  my  deliverance.  However,  I  advised 
him  not  to  go  to  York  at  th;it  time,  but  to 
go  to  Leeds  ;  and  God  blessed  his  word  to 
many  souls  at  Leeds  that  week. 


1  THE   JOURNAL  OF 

'riius  fiir  I  can  8jiy  '  The  Lord  is  my 
helper  :  O  may  I  never  grieve  his  Spirit, 
then  will  he  be  my  guide  unto- death,  a'ld 
i!iy  portion  for  ever.' 

This  is  a  plain  narrative  of  the  dealings 
of  Cod  and  man  with  me,  from  my  youth  to 
the  forty-second  year  of  my  natural  life. 


JOHN  NELSON. 


A  HYMN. 

O  for  a  thousand  tongues  to  sing 
My  great  Redeemer's  praise  ! 

The  glories  of  my  God  and  King, 
The  triumphs  of  his  grace  ! 

My  gracious  master  and  my  God, 

Assist  me  to  proclaim. 
To  spread  through  all  the  earth  abroad 

The  honours  of  thy  name. 

Jesus,  the  name  that  charms  our  fears, 
That  bids  our  sorrow  s  cease 

Tis  music  in  the  sinner's  ears, 
^Tis  life,  and  health,  and  peace. 

He  breaks  the  pou  er  of  cancell  d  sin. 

He  sets  the  prisoner  free  ; 
His  blood  can  make  the  foulest  clean. 

His  blood  avail'd  for  me. 

He  speaks,  and  listening  to  his  voice. 

New  life  the  dead  receive  ; 
The  mournful,  broken  hearts  rejoice. 

The  humble  poor  believe. 

Hear  him,  ye  deaf,  his  praise,  ye  dumb. 
Your  loosen'd  tongues  employ  ; 

Ye  blind,  behold  your  Saviour  come. 
And  leap,  ye  lame,  for  joy. 

Look  unto  him,  ye  nations  ;  own 

Your  God,  ye  fallen  race  ; 
Look,  and  be  sav'd  through  failh  alone. 

Be  justified  by  grace  ! 


2U 

See  all  our  sins  on  Jesus  laid. 

The  Lamb  of  God  was  alain  ; 
His  soul  was  once  an  ofTering  made 

For  every  soul  of  man. 

Harlots,  and  publicans,  and  thieves, 

ui  holy  triumph  join  ! 
Sav  d  is  the  sinner  that  believes. 

From  crimes  as  great  as  mine. 

•  Drunicards,  and  all  ye  hellish  crevr, 
Blacken'd  with  lust  and  pride  : 
Believe  the  Saviour  died  for  you. 
An  J  feel  his  blood  applied. 

Awake  from  guilty  nature's  sleep. 
And  Christ  shall  give  you  light ; 

Cast  all  youir  sins  iuto  the  deep. 
And  wash  the  jEthiop  white. 

With  me,  (your  chief,)  ye  then  shall  know. 
Shall  feel  your  sins  forgiven  ; 

Anticipate  your  heaven  below. 
And  own  that  Love  is  Heaven. 


FINIS. 


I 


I 


Date  Due 


0  11^  '4; 

1  1012  01039  0385 


